Leon Panetta Joins FleishmanHillard's International Advisory Board

ST. LOUIS, May 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has joined the International Advisory Board (IAB) at FleishmanHillard, the firm announced today.

"I know FleishmanHillard from my previous experience on the IAB," Panetta said. "I know the quality of its people, the excellence of its services and its top-notch ethical standards. I look forward to rejoining their team and helping clients and staffs achieve their business and professional goals."

Panetta rejoins FleishmanHillard's IAB following a distinguished career as one of the United States' most respected public servants.

"Leon Panetta has devoted his life to public service, and we are honored to have him come back to us after yet another extraordinary stint in government," said Dave Senay, FleishmanHillard president and CEO. "Secretary Panetta has been a central decision-maker for some of the most significant political, policy and societal debates of our time.

"He has worked tirelessly on behalf of our nation's interests globally, and he is keenly knowledgeable about how business, governments and civil society organizations work together," Senay continued. "And it is hard to name another national political figure with the level of respect and affection, from both sides of the aisle, that Leon enjoys."

Panetta served in the Obama administration, first as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 2009 to 2011 and then as Secretary of Defense from 2011 to 2013. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1977 to 1993, after which he became the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. He left OMB in 1994 when he was appointed Chief of Staff to President Bill Clinton, a position he held until 1997.

In 1997, Leon and Sylvia Panetta founded the Panetta Institute for Public Policy. The Institute's mission is to attract young men and women to lives of public service. The Institute works with the entire State of California university system to provide a variety of study opportunities in public policy, politics and government.

FleishmanHillard's IAB is made up of renowned experts from the private and public sectors. Unlike other industry boards, the IAB provides direct-to-client counsel on a wide range of disciplines, industries and audiences.

Panetta will join other distinguished IAB members Andy Card, Gen. Barry McCaffrey, Dr. David Kessler, Mickey Kantor, Janet Robinson, Adm. Vern Clark, John Onoda, Keki Dadiseth, Shoichiro Irimajiri, Guenter Verheugen and Anna Chennault.

He will work closely with the firm's leadership to advise clients on a wide variety of issues impacting global business today.

About FleishmanHillard

FleishmanHillard is the world's most complete global communications firm, specializing in public relations, public affairs, marketing, paid media, and transmedia and social content. FleishmanHillard delivers on The Power of True, reflecting the firm's high values, and unique ability to guide clients through a world demanding unprecedented authenticity and transparency.  FleishmanHillard was named "Standout Agency" on Advertising Age's 2013 A-List; NAFE's "Top 50 Companies for Executive Women" for 2010-2013; Advertising Age's 2012 "Best Places to Work"; and The Holmes Report's 2012 Global "Public Affairs Agency of the Year." The firm's award-winning work is widely heralded, including at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity. FleishmanHillard is part of Diversified Agency Services, a division of Omnicom Group Inc., and has more than 80 offices in 29 countries, plus affiliates in 42 countries. Visit us at www.fleishmanhillard.com.

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.

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