NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Senior leaders in Hill+Knowlton Strategies U.S. are shifting responsibilities for the top posts in the corporate and public affairs practices, while others are taking on expanded regional management roles newly created under the firm’s Americas structure. The appointments are effective immediately.
H+K U.S. will now consist of three key management regions, with a regional leader overseeing each. Erin Gentry will lead the West Coast Region, while continuing to serve as global co-lead of client service. Claire Koeneman will lead the Central Region, while continuing to be GM of the Chicago office and head of financial communications. Howard Opinsky, who had previously served as GM of the Washington, D.C., office and head of the public affairs practice, will lead the East Coast Region.
“These regional leaders are all already trusted senior advisors with deep insight into the network and I have the utmost confidence in their ability to integrate our resources more fully to the benefit of our business and our clients,” said Mike Coates, president and CEO of H+K Americas. The regional leaders will work very closely with the GMs in their regions, who now report to them.
Stepping into the public affairs practice leadership role will be James Fuller, EVP based in Dallas. Opinsky shifts from public affairs into leadership of the corporate practice, which also includes crisis, change+internal communications, financial communications, media relations, and governance and sustainability. Robert Ludke is stepping away from leading the corporate practice in order to focus on governance and sustainability, as H+K prepares to release its first ever sustainability report in the coming weeks. Ludke also will now lead the Washington, D.C., office as interim GM while the firm identifies a new permanent GM.
“We have an incredible bench of senior leaders within the U.S., with deep knowledge of our network and a variety of strengths and capabilities that cross practices and geographies,” Coates said. “These changes represent an intentional focus to continue to evolve and renew the organization within an Americas structure, and I’m pleased to have such strong leaders already on the team who will ensure we get the job done.”
About Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Inc. is a leading international communications consultancy, providing services to local, multinational and global clients. The firm is headquartered in New York, with 87 offices in 49 countries, as well as an extensive associate network. The agency is part of WPP, the world’s largest communications services group. For more information, please visit www.hkstrategies.com.