Fleishman-Hillard Appoints Robert Dowling General Manager in New York, President of Eastern Region

NEW YORK, May 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Fleishman-Hillard has appointed Robert Dowling, president of Weber Shandwick's New York operations, as general manager and senior partner of its New York office and president of its Eastern region, the company announced today.

"Our Eastern region, which includes New York and Boston, is having an outstanding year," said Jack Modzelewski, Fleishman-Hillard president of the Americas. "Now it will have an exceptional new leader in Robert Dowling to take us to the next level of reputation and successful performance. Fleishman-Hillard has bold plans in motion to help clients navigate the daunting complexity of today's most difficult marketing and communication challenges. To that mission, Robert brings his own proven abilities, working across communications platforms, and at the highest levels of client expectation."

The company also named Ron Guirguis, a Fleishman-Hillard senior vice president and senior partner, to the position of deputy general manager of the New York office. Guirguis began his Fleishman-Hillard career in Canada in 1999. He will continue to lead the New York office's corporate and public affairs group while he supports Dowling in the operational management of the New York office. Dowling will report to Modzelewski.

Both Dowling and Guirguis will join Fleishman-Hillard's senior management committee, which sets and implements the firm's global strategic direction.

"We are excited to have someone of Robert Dowling's high caliber join our firm, and pleased to promote Ron Guirguis to this opportunity for him to contribute in even greater ways in New York," Modzelewski said. "Both of these leaders will play a crucial role in Fleishman-Hillard's goal to reach our greatest potential – in New York and elsewhere."

Dowling has a career spanning more than two decades in marketing, communications and publishing. Before he rejoined Weber's New York office, he managed the firm's Northern California operations, where he grew Weber's technology, healthcare and corporate presence on the West Coast. He also led the firm's technology practice in North America.

"We have ambitious plans to set the industry standard as 'the most complete communications company in the world,'" said Dave Senay, Fleishman-Hillard president and CEO. "That means we will be able to communicate with anyone, through any channel, and do so in the most engaging, the most creative and effective ways possible in order to deliver high-value outcomes. Robert Dowling truly 'gets' this direction. We are fortunate to add someone of his management and leadership caliber to our team."

"It is an honor to join the team at Fleishman-Hillard, and an exciting opportunity to come aboard during this period of growth and success," Dowling said. "As the market continues to evolve, firms like Fleishman-Hillard are taking the lead in bringing new thinking and capabilities to clients, addressing the challenges of an increasingly social, integrated, multiplatform world. I am looking forward to working with some of the industry's best practitioners in support of the world's leading brands."

Dowling has counseled a wide variety of companies across the technology, corporate, healthcare and consumer spectrum. He has served on the board of advisors of the Executive Council of New York, has lectured frequently at New York University's graduate school of communications, and has contributed articles on marketing, communications and technology to a variety of publications. Dowling has appeared as a commentator on the topic of marketing and communications on business broadcast channels. After graduating from the University of Liverpool in England, he spent his early career working for publisher Bantam Doubleday Dell and as a freelance writer in New York. He was a writer on published biographies about musicians, artists and political figures.

Guirguis has extensive experience in government relations, strategic communications, reputation management, corporate social responsibility and crisis communications, with a focus on regulated industries. He has 20 years of experience in public affairs across a broad range of client industries -- financial and professional services, telecommunications, defense, natural resources and environment, food and agriculture, and healthcare.

Before joining Fleishman-Hillard, Guirguis worked for the government of Canada as an international trade policy adviser and commercial officer with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Before joining Fleishman-Hillard's New York office in 2010, Guirguis was the managing director of public affairs for Fleishman-Hillard Canada, based in the Ottawa office.

About Fleishman-Hillard

Fleishman-Hillard Inc., one of the world's leading strategic communications firms, has built its reputation on creating integrated solutions that deliver what its clients value most: meaningful, positive and measurable impact on the performance of their organizations. The firm is widely recognized for excellent client service and a strong company culture founded on teamwork, integrity and personal commitment. Based in St. Louis, the firm operates throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Latin America through its 80 owned offices. For more information, visit the Fleishman-Hillard website at www.fleishmanhillard.com. Fleishman-Hillard 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.

About Omnicom Group Inc.

Omnicom Group Inc. (www.omnicomgroup.com) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.

SOURCE Fleishman-Hillard Inc.