Edelman today announced it has named Blain Rethmeier the West Coast managing director of its Crisis and Risk practice. Rethmeier, formerly managing partner at Strategic Action Public Affairs, will work closely with Kristine Boyden, President of Edelman’s Western Region, to direct the crisis and reputational risk work of the six regional offices. Rethmeier will also be responsible for portfolio growth, talent development, and innovation. The firm further strengthened its Crisis and Risk leadership team with the appointment of Francesca Trainor Alt, EVP group head of Crisis and Risk in New York. Trainor Alt, most recently of McKinsey & Company for the past 12 years, will be responsible for building a strategic reputation risk practice that encompasses both protection and value creation. She will report to Brian Ellner, GM of New York Corporate and Public Affairs. Both Rethmeier and Trainor Alt join Edelman’s Crisis & Risk leadership team.
“Reputation risk has grown exponentially over the last six years and has quickly become the responsibility of CEOs and their boards. It’s vital that we staff our offering with the best and most diverse talent,” said Harlan Loeb, Global Practice chair of Edelman Crisis and Risk Management practice. “Both Blain and Francesca bring a vast array of experience working with senior leaders and boards, knowledge and unique skill set to the practice that will allow us to best address the needs of the evolving marketplace and challenges our clients and non-clients are facing.”
Rethmeier, an expert in crisis and issues management and public affairs, has spent over 16 years devising strategy for high-risk situations, with particular expertise in policy-related issues, litigation and reputational positioning. He has advised companies in highly regulated industries and has worked in the White House, where he was special assistant to the President for Communications. Rethmeier also served as Communications Director for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and as an advisor to the U.S. Department of Justice.
“As the pressure mounts on global companies to use reputation as their leading strategic asset in a chaotic world, I’m delighted to join Edelman’s Crisis and Risk Management practice and to help them grow the offering,” said Rethmeier.
Trainor Alt joins Edelman from McKinsey & Company, where she established and led the global reputation risk function. Prior to McKinsey, she spent 10 years at Hill & Knowlton Strategies as a trusted advisor to businesses, governments and institutions on reputation management and crises.
“I am thrilled to join Edelman as it’s on the cutting edge of providing a higher level of strategic sophistication and holistic approach for organizations that are mitigating, managing and building resilience against reputation risks and crises,” said Trainor Alt.
Edelman’s Crisis & Risk Management Risk practice is one of the largest in the world with 180 practitioners in more than 60 countries. Over the last seven years, the staff has increased by 70 percent while revenues have jumped 500 percent. The capabilities and diversity of talent have also grown to include digital, sector, research and analytics.
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. Edelman was named one of Advertising Age’s “Agency to Watch” in 2014; one of Forbes’ “14 Most Influential Agencies of 2014”; and The Holmes Report’s “2013 Global Agency of the Year.” Edelman was awarded the Grand Prix Cannes Lion for PR in 2014 and was among Glassdoor’s “Best Places to Work” for the third time in 2014. Edelman owns specialty firms Edelman Intelligence (research) and United Entertainment Group (entertainment, sports, experiential), a joint venture with United Talent Agency.
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Michael Bush
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