Edelman today announced the launch of the Daniel J. Edelman China Group to oversee the expansion of its four service brands in China. Starting 1 January 2013, the Daniel J. Edelman China Group will be comprised of four major lines of business: flagship agency Edelman, newly created Edelman Digital, national firm Pegasus and sister agency Zeno Group, which is scheduled to open its first China office by the end of 2012.
“Edelman China has experienced double digit growth over the last several years. Our clients, both national and international, are asking for an expanding array of services and support,” said Edelman APAC president David Brain. “This group structure will help us focus our talents and expertise on specific client needs.”
Reflecting the new group structure, Edelman also announced a series of executive appointments. Effective 1 January 2013:
- Steven Cao, current Pegasus president, is promoted to the new role of CEO, Daniel J. Edelman China Group, reporting to Thomas Mattia as chairman Daniel J. Edelman China Group;
- Kevin Wang and Tony Tao, Edelman’s managing directors in Beijing and Shanghai, will assume joint responsibility for the flagship agency’s China operations as co-presidents of Edelman China, reporting to Steven Cao;
- Jeffrey Yu, Pegasus managing director, assumes complete responsibility of Pegasus China and
- John Kerr, recently appointed regional president for Zeno Group, will be responsible for assembling the Zeno China team
The appointment of Edelman APAC Digital president is expected in the coming weeks.
“Edelman remains our flagship brand, the world’s largest, full-service multinational public relations and public engagement agency. Pegasus is the leading domestic consumer firm, with specific design, experiential and digital capabilities. Edelman Digital becomes our digital agency providing support to all our brands while carving out its own space in social content, social commerce and creative. Our sister agency Zeno Group will focus on multinational consumer marketing with a digital edge”, explained Daniel J Edelman China Group chairman Thomas Mattia.
Mattia noted Edelman’s highly respected China practice groups would continue to operate in the new group structure, and now would be available to all brand family clients. Daniel J. Edelman China Group will offer world-class counsel in public affairs and government relations, corporate and crisis communications, consumer and brand marketing, and technology. Cao said he was honored and excited to lead the group.
“The creation of this group structure will significantly enhance our reach and capabilities,” said Cao. “Our four brands ensure the best thinking in social media, traditional media, public affairs, CSR, event marketing, consumer and corporate communications. And, we expect to expand this brand family in coming months with a strong research offering.”
The Daniel J. Edelman China Group will be comprised of over 220 professionals in seven offices with major presence in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
ABOUT EDELMAN
Edelman is the world’s largest public relations firm, with 65 offices and more than 4,500 employees worldwide, as well as affiliates in more than 30 cities. Edelman was named Advertising Age’s top-ranked PR firm of the decade in 2009 and one of its “A-List Agencies” in both 2010 and 2011; Adweek’s “2011 PR Agency of the Year;” PRWeek’s “2011 Large PR Agency of the Year;” and The Holmes Report’s “2011 Global Agency of the Year” and its 2011 “North American Large Agency of the Year.” Edelman was named one of the “Best Places to Work” by Advertising Age in 2010 and 2012 and among Glassdoor’s top five “2011 Best Places to Work.” Edelman owns specialty firms Edelman Berland (research), Blue (advertising), A&R Edelman (technology), and agencies Edelman Significa (Brazil), and Pegasus (China). Visit http://www.edelman.com for more information.
ABOUT ZENO GROUP
Believers in the fearless pursuit of the unexpected, the award-winning Zeno Group operates as one firm across offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, Silicon Valley, Toronto, Beijing, Mumbai, Jakarta, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo. Zeno is the 2011 and 2012 winner of the PR Week Mid-Size Agency of the Year and 2011 Holmes Report Creative Agency of the Year. The firm’s practice areas include consumer, health, technology and corporate, all supported by planning, digital engagement and media. Clients include: AstraZeneca, Bacardi, Bausch & Lomb, Dreamworks Animation, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Lipton, Office Depot, Life Technologies, Kia Motors America, Q-Cells, Nature’s Path, Oak Investment Partners, Pizza Hut, Sears, Seattle’s Best Coffee and VeriFone. Zeno Group is a member of the Daniel J Edelman Company. Please visit us at zenogroup.com, like us on Facebook or follow us @zenogroup.