Cone Communications Names Bill Fleishman as Chief Executive Officer and Jens Bang as Chairman

BOSTON, Sept. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Public relations and marketing agency Cone Communications today announced that Bill Fleishman, president of the agency, has also assumed the role of chief executive officer, succeeding Jens Bang, who will now serve as chairman.

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Fleishman joined Cone Communications in 2000, and was named president in 2010. As president, Fleishman has been responsible for day-to-day operations in addition to leading the agency's brand communications discipline into year-over-year growth.  In this role, he has led key strategic initiatives including opening the New York office, launching social media, creative, and entertainment marketing specialties and introducing a suite of new products and services while managing key agency accounts.  He will report to Dale Adams, president and CEO of Diversified Agency Services (DAS) group of Omnicom, the parent company of Cone Communications.

Bang served as CEO since 2005. Over a total of 16 years in senior management at Cone Communications, Bang has helped the agency grow and strengthen its brand recognition as a leader in public relations and corporate social responsibility. As chairman, Bang will use his decades of marketing experience to provide counsel on agency strategy as well as engage with select clients and business development efforts. He will also continue as a board member of the Council of Public Relations Firms and a member of the Arthur W. Page Society.

"Cone Communications has an excellent reputation and has been an important part of the DAS network of agencies," said Dale Adams. "This success is a testament to the leadership of Jens Bang along with Cone's passionate staff. Omnicom looks forward to seeing Cone Communications continue to grow and innovate in the years to come under Bill's stewardship," Mr. Adams concluded.

"I am proud of our accomplishments over my years at the agency.  I have had the privilege of working with some of the most talented professionals in our industry and helping to build a strong values-based culture," said Jens Bang.  "Given our leadership in the industry and where the marketplace is headed, this is the right time for Bill to take the reins based on his passion, talent and vision," Bang continued.

"Jens has been both a trusted colleague and a friend over my time at Cone Communications, and we have all benefited from his leadership and many contributions," said Bill Fleishman. "I am excited to lead the best team of professionals here at Cone as we help clients navigate the challenges of growing and sustaining brands in a fast changing world."

About Cone Communications
Cone Communications (www.conecomm.com) is a public relations and marketing agency known for igniting brands with high-impact strategies and programs based in deep insights, unique subject matter expertise and innovation. Focusing on key areas such as consumer product media relations, social media, cause marketing, corporate social responsibility, nonprofit marketing, corporate communications and crisis prevention/management – the agency is positioned to help clients achieve both business and societal outcomes. Cone Communications is a part of Diversified Agency Services, a division of Omnicom Group Inc.

About Diversified Agency Services
Diversified Agency Services (DAS), a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), manages Omnicom's holdings in a variety of marketing communications disciplines. DAS includes over 200 companies, which operate through a combination of networks and regional organizations, serving international and local clients through more than 700 offices in 71 countries.

SOURCE Cone Communications