Weber Shandwick Promotes Susan Howe to Chief Collaboration Officer; Charlotte Witte & Alan Kercinik Appointed Regional Brand Transformation Leaders
New York – June 13, 2017 − Weber Shandwick, one of the world’s leading global communications and engagement firms, announced the promotion of Susan Howe, formerly president of Weber Shandwick’s Global Consumer Marketing practice, to Chief Collaboration Officer, charged with driving dynamic teaming across regions, practice areas and specialties across the firm’s global network. In addition, Charlotte Witte, formerly senior partner at Prime, a Weber Shandwick company, will take on the role of executive vice president, brand transformation in EMEA. Alan Kercinik, formerly executive vice president and deputy lead, Global Consumer Marketing, has been named executive vice president, brand transformation, North America. Witte and Kercinik will focus on catalyzing and stewarding high-impact, integrated engagements across their respective regions.
− New Roles Created to Drive Integrated, Multi-Disciplinary Approaches to Client Engagements –
These new senior roles are designed to advance integrated solutions for clients across disciplines as Weber Shandwick continues to grow its bench of specialized talent across the marketing services spectrum.
Susan Howe Promoted to Chief Collaboration Officer
Howe is a consummate strategist and leader of some of Weber Shandwick’s most significant client engagements. In her 21 years at Weber Shandwick, she has helped build a powerful consumer marketing network, having led high-profile engagements for Unilever, Anheuser-Busch and Nestle brands, among many others. She has driven several innovative workplace initiatives focused on employee development and retention, and is consistently praised for her fusion of high-level vision and on-the-ground operational strength. Prior to her role as head of the firm’s Global Consumer Marketing practice, Howe oversaw operations for the Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit and Atlanta markets.
As Chief Collaboration Officer, Howe will be responsible for driving integration on key client assignments globally, in addition to enhancing collaboration between disciplines across the firm’s global network.
Charlotte Witte Appointed EVP, Brand Transformation, EMEA
In her new role, Witte will work to enrich key client engagements in Europe, with a particular focus on integrating deep business intelligence and data-driven approaches supported by Prime and United Minds.
Witte was the divisional manager of marketing at the Institute for International Research before joining Prime in 2006, and previously director of marketing at software company Spectral. As a director of Prime’s marketing communications and creative arm, Witte became a force in the agency’s growth and transformation. She is a gifted strategic thinker with a passion for high-level business consultancy, core to her success in partnering with clients like SCA and IKEA.
Alan Kercinik Promoted to EVP, Brand Transformation, North America
Kercinik broadens his remit from a focus on consumer marketing to tackle integrated campaigns across practices and North America offices.
A brand builder and multi-platform strategist, Kercinik’s career has spanned nearly every communication discipline, including advertising, consumer promotions, social media, event marketing and public relations. At Weber Shandwick, Kercinik has led transformative approaches for Motorola, SNICKERS, M&Ms, Unilever and many other iconic brands and companies. Previously he has held similar creative and strategic roles at several agencies, including Frankel (now Arc Worldwide), Edelman, Hill & Knowlton and Ogilvy.
About Weber Shandwick
Weber Shandwick is a leading global communications and engagement firm in 79 cities across 34 countries, with a network extending to 127 cities in 81 countries. The firm’s diverse team of strategists, analysts, producers, designers, developers and campaign activators has won the most prestigious awards in the world for innovative, creative approaches and impactful work. Weber Shandwick was the only public relations agency included on the Ad Age Agency A-list in 2014 and 2015 and the only PR firm designated an A-List Agency Standout in 2017. Weber Shandwick was honored as PRWeek’s Global Agency of the Year in 2015, 2016 and 2017, The Holmes Report’s Global Agency of the Year in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015 and The Holmes Report’s Global Digital Agency of the Year in 2016. The firm deploys deep expertise across sectors and specialty areas, including consumer marketing, corporate reputation, healthcare, technology, public affairs, financial services, corporate social responsibility, financial communications and crisis management, using proprietary social, digital and analytics methodologies. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit https://www.webershandwick.com/.