Public affairs expert enhances offerings of top communications marketing firm
Edelman today announced the hiring of Christopher Vivone as senior vice president, public affairs, to its Ottawa office. Having led government relations activities at the federal, provincial and municipal levels for top global and Canadian organizations, Vivone will now counsel Edelman clients on solutions to navigate Canada’s evolving political landscape.
“I’m delighted to have Chris join the Edelman team,” said Darcy Walsh, senior vice president and general manager, Edelman Ottawa. “With his extensive knowledge of the Ottawa market, Chris and I will work together to build the Ottawa office in the months and years ahead.”
Vivone joins Edelman from Cisco Systems where he was head of government relations and a member of Cisco Canada’s senior leadership team. Since joining Cisco in 2012, Vivone was responsible for developing and implementing the organization’s public policy agenda in Canada with respect to telecommunications, technology procurement, research and development, security and international trade.
“Chris is a smart, experienced public affairs practitioner,” said Bob Richardson, executive vice-president and national practice lead, public affairs, Edelman Canada. “He joins a growing national Public Affairs practice for Edelman right across the country.”
Prior to Cisco, Vivone was a senior political advisor to Canadian Ministers of Finance and Industry. He was also the Director of Government Relations for the Railway Association of Canada and worked for an international public affairs firm.
“I’m honoured to be joining Edelman’s Ottawa team as we expand our public affairs presence and service offerings in Canada,” said Vivone. “The last few months have brought change to the nation’s capital, and I’m excited to get down to work delivering results for our clients.”
In October 2015, Edelman Canada opened its Ottawa office under the leadership of Walsh. The expansion of the Ottawa office staff marks an exciting advancement in the company’s strategy to provide leading-edge public affairs and communications services to clients nationwide. Edelman acquired Toronto-based public affairs firm Devon Group in July 2014.
About Edelman
Edelman is a leading global communications marketing firm that partners with many of the world’s largest and emerging businesses and organizations, helping them evolve, promote and protect their brands and reputations.
Our Canadian business has matured from one that has been primarily geography- and practice-focused to one that is also specialty-focused. Our offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal offer several specialized areas of expertise — including creative, crisis & risk, public affairs, insights & analytics, paid media and digital — to deliver best-in-class work to our clients in today’s complex media landscape.
Edelman was named The Holmes Report’s “2015 Global Digital Agency of the Year”; one of Advertising Age’s “Agency to Watch” in 2014; one of Forbes’ “14 Most Influential Agencies of 2014”; and was awarded the Grand Prix Cannes Lion for PR in 2014. In Canada, Edelman was among the top three finalists for Marketing Magazine’s 2014 Agency of the Year and has been named one of the Great Place to Work® Best Workplaces in Canada and Best Workplaces for Women.
For more information contact
Bob Richardson
bob.richardson@edelman.com