Ruder Finn Announces Newly Created Storytelling Role and Appointment of New Corporate Practice Head

NEW YORK, May 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Ruder Finn, a leading independent global creative and communications agency, announced that Rachel Spielman will move to a new role as EVP, Storytelling & Media and Keith Hughes is joining as EVP, Head of the U.S. Corporate Practice. Hughes will be based out of the agency's New York office and will report to Kathy Bloomgarden, CEO of Ruder Finn.

Hughes will lead the U.S. Corporate Practice, where he'll continue to build a strong leadership position and expand the agency's capabilities in new areas. An award-winning marketing and corporate campaign leader, Hughes comes to Ruder Finn from Burson-Marsteller, where he most recently served as Managing Director, Consumer Bank Account Director/Bank of America. Prior to this, Hughes spent nearly 10 years at MSL as SVP/Director of the North America Consumer Practice and as a senior manager for Pepsi-Cola International. With his over 30 years in the PR industry, including senior leadership roles at Fleishman-Hillard, Ketchum and Marina Maher Communications, Keith has worked with world-renowned blue chip clients such as P&G, Philips Electronics, PepsiCo, Kraft, Sony, Reebok, General Motors, Heineken, Coors, Fidelity, Aetna, Chase, American Express and many others.

Rachel Spielman, who tripled the size of the corporate practice over the last 16 years, takes on a newly formalized role of EVP, Storytelling & Media. In this new position, Spielman will work more broadly across the agency to help mine for client stories and work with teams to help bring these stories to life across traditional and new mediums. She will continue to lead her existing client accounts. Spielman's new role focused on storytelling recognizes the importance, strategic nature and scope of work involved in this foundational aspect of all PR programs.

"I am very excited to welcome Keith to our team to further build our market position as the best in corporate thought leadership and C-suite PR and recognize Rachel in this new all-agency storytelling role, which will help us continue to drive stellar agenda-setting story placements for our clients across channels," says Bloomgarden. "These are just two more steps in what is already a transformative 2016 for Ruder Finn, launching our transmedia agency Bloom Technology and moving our New York headquarters to an open, collaborative, flexible office environment."

"I'm thrilled to be joining Ruder Finn at such an exciting time for the agency," says Hughes. "As the Corporate Practice continues its strong trajectory and delivery of industry award-winning campaigns, I'm excited to help further grow, develop and innovate the group's capabilities, impact and breadth of work."

ABOUT RUDER FINN
Ruder Finn, Inc. is one of the world's largest independent communications agencies with dual headquarters in the U.S. and China. Founded in 1948, Ruder Finn serves the global and local communication needs of over 250 corporations, governments and non-profit organizations. The agency is organized around four strategic pillars that reflect its core areas of expertise: Health & Wellness, Corporate Reputation & Transformation, Technology & Innovation, and Consumer Connections. RFI Studios, the agency's full-service digital practice, leads the industry in designing and developing internal collaboration platforms, building conversations and communities around brands, and staying top-of-mind in the world of mobile applications. Ruder Finn's work, talent and culture have received industry-wide recognition, including the Agency of the Year awards from Bulldog Reporter from 2013-2015 and PR News' Top Places to Work in PR Award from 2013-2015. For more information, visit www.ruderfinn.com and whatsnext.ruderfinn.com.

CONTACT:
Katy Kelley
Ruder Finn
646-757-6123
[email protected]

SOURCE Ruder Finn

Related Links

http://ruderfinn.com