Lori Russo Named President Of Stanton Communications

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Stanton Communications today announced the promotion of Lori Russo to the position of President of the firm.  Formerly Managing Director, Russo joined Stanton Communications in 1999 at the entry-level position of account coordinator, progressively assuming increasing responsibility over her 16 year tenure with the firm.  Today, she leads the agency's Washington, D.C. and Baltimore offices as MD Mid-Atlantic while continuing to serve clients and facilitate new business growth.  Russo is especially focused on marketing communications and expansion of the firm's digital practice.

Peter V. Stanton, who retains the title CEO, called Russo's promotion emblematic of the firm's vitality as it enters its second quarter century.  "We are concluding our 25^th anniversary year and I can think of no better way to step into the next 25 than with highly energized and youthful leadership.  Lori brings a fresh perspective and keen understanding of innovative practices in professional communications.  Of equal importance, she guides and motivates a team of exceptionally creative and talented professionals, every one of whom has the potential to follow in her footsteps.  Her example is an inspiration to anyone who wishes to build a career in our firm."

In her new position, Russo will be responsible for directing and growing the agency's work in support of clients in the technology, consumer products and professional services sectors while further developing the firm's digital and creative services business.  Long recognized for her expertise in leveraging social platforms for marketing communications and business development, Russo has frequently been called upon to speak at industry forums including the Mid-Atlantic Marketing Summit, the PR News Social Media Summit and Ragan's Breakthrough Strategies for Corporate Communicators Conference, sharing the dais with executives from LinkedIn and other leading corporations.  A member of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., she serves on the Club's distinguished Luncheon Speakers Committee.  She chaired the inaugurals for five presidents of the National Press Club and co-chaired the committee organizing the Club's presentation of its Fourth Estate awards to acclaimed interviewer Charlie Rose and veteran journalist Andrea Mitchell. Russo was among the first in her field to be included as one of PRWeek's "40 Under 40" rising stars in the industry.

Consistent with a core value of Stanton Communications, Russo will continue to be directly engaged in client work.  Her clients, including the American Statistical Association, the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN), MorganFranklin Consulting, and Quad/Graphics, will benefit from her counsel and support even as she assumes her new responsibilities.

John Curran, President and CEO of ARIN, commented, "Lori and her team have proved quite adept at jumping into our technical world and helping us find ways to engage the general business community on complex Internet matters. We look forward to continuing our productive relationship with Stanton Communications under Lori's leadership as President."

"Client service is of paramount importance to everyone in this firm, which is a primary reason I have chosen to build my career here," said Russo. "Many in our industry claim to be client-focused, but at the end of the day they have other priorities especially meeting the financial demands of their parent holding companies. We don't operate that way. Our independence enables us to invest personally in our client relationships and develop true, committed partnerships. It is a privilege to continue to work with my clients even as I enter into this new role."

Russo also will build on the agency's strengths to grow the business in new areas.  Most recently, she led the pitch that won AOR designation from Florida-based apparel firm, Madda Fella, building on Stanton Communications' long history of representing consumer lifestyle brands including W. L. Gore & Associates, makers of GORE-TEX® products, and Sprint.  It is this expansion of existing practice areas that will be Russo's primary new business emphasis.

"One of the most exciting parts of this next phase of my professional life is that I am entering it with my mentor by my side," said Russo. "Peter Stanton has guided me through many challenges and opportunities over the past 16 years. It is almost impossible to express how grateful I am to contribute in new ways to the next 25 years of the company bearing his name."

Russo and Stanton will execute the agency's strategic plan for growth through policy communication, international client engagement, and innovation in marketing communication.  Examples include the American Statistical Association for which the agency created the "This is Statistics" campaign to promote careers in the statistical sciences; Germany-based Fraunhofer IIS - Audio & Multimedia division which has been developing audio coding and multimedia technologies for more than 25 years, and Dig-It! Games, an educational gaming company creating mobile apps and PC-based learning tools for middle school students.  Stanton Communications also is providing media logistics planning and coordination support for the upcoming visit of Pope Francis to New York.

ABOUT STANTON COMMUNICATIONS:
Stanton Communications, Inc., is a national public relations firm serving corporations, trade associations and non-profit organizations throughout the U.S. and abroad. Now in its 26th year, the firm is independent and dedicated to the achievement of client business objectives.

Our clients include some of the world's most notable companies and industry associations in a range of fields including information technology, telecommunications, energy, health care, education, and industrial services. We provide strategic communication planning, media relations, issue management, marketing communication, digital and social media services and crisis counsel and response. We also conduct sophisticated spokesperson training and event programs. With principle offices in Washington, DC, New York and Baltimore, Stanton Communications maintains a network of trusted associates and is a partner firm in PR World Alliance with representation in major cities throughout North America, South America, Europe, Africa and the Pacific Rim.

On behalf of our clients, Stanton Communications has won more than 50 industry awards including multiple Silver Anvils, the public relations profession's highest honor and Gold Quill Awards of Excellence, the premier award presented by the International Association of Business Communicators. We also have been named the Best Small Agency in America by The Holmes Report, a pre-eminent communications industry journal.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150901/262730

SOURCE Stanton Communications

Related Links

http://stantoncomm.com