Weber Shandwick Names Susan Howe President, Global Consumer Marketing; Rana Komar, General Manager, Chicago

NEW YORK, Sept. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Weber Shandwick, one of the world's leading global public relations firms, today announced it has named Susan Howe, president, Global Consumer Marketing and Rana Komar, general manager for the firm's Chicago office, effective immediately. 

Howe, previously Weber Shandwick's president, Chicago, has been with the firm for 17 years. She will oversee the firm's largest practice area, bringing her global experience in consumer marketing, PR and digital to bear on behalf of clients. Howe will be responsible for building client relationships globally, and helping to expand the Consumer Marketing practice's reach, expertise and offerings in the market.  She reports to Gail Heimann, president, Weber Shandwick. 

Howe has led award-winning, strategic campaigns for many of the agency's long-standing consumer clients, including Unilever and Oreo. She has specific expertise in food and nutrition, health and beauty, and household products. Howe is known for providing strategic oversight to brand campaigns with a focus on driving digital/social, consumer and influencer engagement.

"Susan, over the years, has helped build our Chicago office into a consumer powerhouse, and has been instrumental in leading some of the firm's largest global brand relationships. Her smarts, vision, boundless energy and client focus will serve the firm well as she takes on this new responsibility overseeing our firm's largest practice area," said Gail Heimann, president, Weber Shandwick. 

Komar has been named general manager of Chicago, the firm's third largest operation. She has served in leadership roles in the Chicago office and within the firm's Consumer Marketing practice, and has contributed strong and steady growth. Komar has been with Weber Shandwick for more than 13 years and has responsibility for several of the firm's major consumer marketing and consumer health clients, including Mars and Novartis Animal Health, among others. She will report to Sara Gavin, president, North America. 

"Whether developing programming that builds brand loyalty, showcases industry leadership or supports brand innovation, Rana brings brand stories to life through rich content and the intersection of traditional and social media," said Heimann. "She will be active in building out our presence and partners in Chicago to drive our continued success in this dynamic market." 

About Weber Shandwick 
Weber Shandwick is a leading global public relations firm with offices in 81 countries around the world. The firm has won numerous awards for innovative approaches and creative campaigns including being named both The Holmes Report's 2012 Global Agency of the Year and the "Most Creative PR Firm in the World," based on the agency's first-place finish in its "Creative Index," as well as PR News' 2012 Digital PR Firm of the Year. Major practice areas include consumer marketing, healthcare, technology, public affairs, financial services, corporate and crisis management. The firm has deep, award-winning expertise in social media and digital marketing that helps drive engagement. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com.

Contact: Jennifer Norton 
Company: Weber Shandwick 
Phone: 212.445.8314
Email: [email protected] 

SOURCE Weber Shandwick