9/9/2010 10:02 AM
The 2008 presidential elections forever changed the American political landscape, and the way in which candidates communicate and form relationships with voters. Twitter now allows politicians to open direct lines of communication with constituents and engage and interact. This study examines the congressional presence on Twitter of members of Congress leading up to the 2010 midterm elections. B-M found that 62 percent of the members of Congress have Twitter accounts.
These findings come as the entire House of Representatives and 22 senators face re-election this November. See more results below.
9/7/2010 2:31 PM
 Burson-Marsteller is pleased to announce the appointment of Nathan Ballard and Cheryl Heinonen as Co-Market Leaders in Northern California. As Market Leaders, Nathan and Cheryl will be responsible for leading the team in San Francisco and working together to grow and expand Burson-Marsteller's Northern California operations. In these roles, they will both report to U.S. President and CEO Patrick Ford.
Both Nathan and Cheryl joined B-M earlier this year. Cheryl, a managing director in B-M's US Corporate Practice, and Nathan, a managing director in the Media Practice and the Issues and Crisis Group, will continue in their current roles in those practices. Currently, Cheryl works with a variety of B-M clients in the consumer brand, technology, and financial services areas. Nathan specializes in media relations, crisis communications, and new media, advising some of our most important clients as they face challenging issues.
Jennifer Graham Clary, who served as interim market leader, will continue in her role as Global Technology Practice Chair.
To read the full announcement click here.
8/25/2010 11:25 AM
 Burson-Marsteller is happy to welcome Carline Jorgensen as a Managing Director in the U.S. Brand Marketing Practice. Carline has more than 20 years of experience as a marketing communications executive, and she has helped launch and build many brands, products and services in an array of sectors such as financial services, healthcare, lifestyle, travel and entertainment.
Most recently, Carline was Founder and President of Kaplan Communications Inc, her own successful full-service marketing communications agency in Los Angeles. For more than a decade, she oversaw brand marketing and media relations campaigns for some of the world's most respected brands like American Express, Ameriprise Financial, Cox Interactive Media, HBO, Champagne Taittinger, Sallie Mae Fund, Hint Mint and Icon Shoes, among others.
To read the full announcement click here.
8/19/2010 8:51 AM
 Burson-Marsteller is thrilled to announce the appointment of Zaheer Nooruddin as Director/Lead Digital Strategist for our Greater China operations. Nooruddin is a leading authority in digital and social strategy and has more than 12 years of international marketing-communications experience, covering Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and the U.S.
Nooruddin will head our digital team across our five Greater China offices (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Hong Kong). In his new role, he will help develop new business opportunities, while also creating creative digital and social media solutions that provide measurable business outcomes for our clients.
Read the full press release here … 8/11/2010 3:58 PM
by Maria Allen (This post originally appeared on The Cast Blog on August 10th, 2010)
 I've just returned from two weeks unpaid leave in Rwanda where I was a volunteer on the Conservative Party's annual social action initiative, Project Umubano, that was established four years ago by Andrew Mitchell, now the Secretary of State for International Development. Stephen Crabb, a Government Whip, led this year's 50 volunteers made up of politicians, journalists, Party staff and people working in the public and private sectors.
As a member of the Party with an interest in international development, I took part in the 'community project,' which aimed to teach survivor NGOs, established after the 1994 genocide, about communications, leadership and fundraising skills. But what possible use could there be to Rwandan genocide survivors, fighting to have their own homes, from the Burson-Marsteller Message House?
I asked myself the same question when I arrived at the airport at 5am with my backpack en route to Kigali two weeks ago but by the end of my trip I was struck by the powerful contribution that the survivor NGOs felt that external communications could play.
Although it is only sixteen years since the atrocities of 1994, these NGOs are struggling to be heard. The Government's heart-strings are pulled in many directions – the country's economy is significantly propped up by aid and 90% of the population subsist on less than two dollars per day. Yet continued support and funding for the genocide victims both at home and abroad is crucial if the country is to thrive as a whole. Good NGO external communications is therefore key.
I was tasked with developing communications workshops for eight of the main survivor NGOs. It was interesting to learn that many of the needs of the organisations were the same as several of my clients: to raise their profiles, build alliances and generate awareness, understanding and support for their issues. The political landscape, however, could not be more different. Two of the leading political opponents to the President were recently assassinated in the run up to today's election and many of the main free newspapers have been shut down. While on the increase, access to the internet still remains limited and unreliable, making online communications a challenge. Yet despite this I was immediately taken with the enthusiasm the NGOs had for developing their comms capabilities and investing their often very stretched resources into this activity.
As with all good comms workshops the sessions focused on message development with training also on stakeholder mapping, how to write a comms plan and fact sheet creation. My francophone abilities were put to the test by some of the French speakers but the impact of the 'maison de message' was aussi forte as ever.
I was told before going on the project that I would get more out of the trip than I would put back in. I was not disappointed. Although I was meant to be doing the teaching, I learnt an incredible amount. The courage, determination and strength of the people who I met, many for whom the memories of the genocide are inescapable, was astonishing and something I'll always remember. A once in a lifetime opportunity certainly, but in fact it will not be the last with plans for next year's trip already being hatched before the plane home had even landed.
To find out more or to support survivors of the genocide through Survivors Fund (SURF) please see: http://www.survivors-fund.org.uk/ or http://tinyurl.com/surfdonation
Maria Allen is an Associate in our Public Affairs Practice in London. 8/11/2010 10:45 AM
 Burson-Marsteller is happy to welcome Daisy Primayanti as the new Managing Director and Market Leader for Indonesia. Previously Daisy was country head of communications at ABN AMRO Bank in Indonesia, during which time she was responsible for all internal and external communications initiatives through two major acquisitions: by RBS (November 2008) and ANZ Bank (August 2009). Daisy also spent more than 10 years at Pfizer Indonesia, holding multiple senior positions including Director of Public Affairs and Director of Human Resources. She started her career as a reporter for Jawa Pos, a leading regional daily in Indonesia where she covered social, culture, education, and current affairs.
Indonesia is a key expanding market within our Asia-Pacific network, and B-M will benefit from Daisy’s experience working in the banking and pharmaceutical industries, public relations consultancies, advertising and marketing agencies, and media.
Read the full press release here ... 8/5/2010 1:14 PM
 What is it like to work at Burson-Marsteller? One day you might be working on a CSR campaign for a Fortune 500 client or perhaps a product launch for a major consumer goods corporation. The next day you could be helping a nonprofit organization reach key stakeholders or helping a colleague across the world on a new business pitch. All the while, you get to learn and work alongside colleagues that include former advisors to presidents and heads of state, leading industry experts and renowned PR legends.
We're looking for qualified candidates at all levels across a variety of practices. We currently have 47 listed openings in the US, Asia-Pacific and EMEA. Click here to check out some of our positions.
If you are interested in the world of healthcare, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and nutrition, our healthcare practice is looking for some talented mid-level healthcare communications professionals to join the team. Positions are available in New York, Washington D.C. and Chicago. See more healthcare openings here.
In our technology practice, you would get to work with some of the largest international technology companies in the world. We have 18 positions open from Boston to Hong Kong.
If you are interested in digital media and have experience developing communications strategies around digital platforms to achieve business objectives, then Proof Integrated Communications is looking for you. Proof IC is Burson-Marsteller's advertising and digital marketing arm integrated communications firm. See all of its openings here. 8/3/2010 3:08 PM
By Danielle Storey
Hello from the Big D!
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Michael Lake, Burson-Marsteller's Chair of U.S. Public Affairs and the Southwest Region for a short Q&A. Mike has been with BM for 11 years and his experience is extensive, check out his bio for a full explanation of his career history. Mike graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a degree in Economics and upon graduating, moved to D.C. to start a career in political communication.
Danielle: What is the best part of your job?
Mike: Working with interesting people and well known clients. At Burson, we see the real impact of our work because we serve high profile clients who are constantly in the press.
Danielle: What is your favorite thing about Burson-Marsteller?
Mike: The people at BM are the best in the business. I am constantly learning from my team members and absorbing new field knowledge.
Danielle: What was the first job you had out of college?
Mike: Mowing lawns and painting houses, if you can believe it. I had moved to Washington D.C. when no one was hiring due to an upcoming election. I have a lot of family in D.C. so while I waited for the Congress shift I made ends meet by doing house and yard work for relatives. Then, I was hired as the Assistant Press Secretary to Senator Pete Wilson (R-CA). My job on the Hill actually paid less then what I was making mowing lawns.
Danielle: What are your hobbies?
Mike: I love to hunt and fish. I just got back from a hunting trip in Bolivia. I also enjoy cooking and working outside in the yard.
Danielle: Do you have any advice for interns?
Mike: It's never too early to start creating your network. You have a better opportunity to compete for a job if you have a contact. I won't even open an emailed resume´ unless I know the person who sent it. Keep in touch with your professors, friends that have already graduated and any colleagues from internships, because you never know where they will be when you are job searching.
Danielle: Are there any mantra's you live by?
Mike: Hard work always pays off! My family owned a grocery store in California when I was growing up and I worked there every day. Work ethic is so important! Show up to the office early and stay late if you have to. Be willing to do whatever it takes so that your boss notices your fervor.
Danielle: Is there a person who inspires your sense of self?
Mike: Ronald Reagan was a man I truly admired. I worked for him at the White House and he was a tremendous leader, a man who stood by his convictions. A memorable saying of his was "Surround yourself with good people and let them do their work." At Burson-Marsteller we have a lot of amazing people to rely on and that makes my job easier.
Danielle Storey is an intern in the Harold Burson Summer Internship Program 2010. 7/20/2010 10:49 AM
Last week, we announced two new additions to our Public Affairs and one to our Issues and Crisis team, and B-M is excited to welcome Susanne Deegan, Peter Havel and Erin Garvey.
 Susanne Deegan (formerly Chasanoff) is a Burson-Marsteller alumnus who returns to B-M as a Managing Director for Public Affairs in New York. Susanne has more than 17 years of experience in public affairs, crisis communication and labor relations, and she has also worked in New York politics. Most recently, she was a Managing Director at The Harbour Group, but she previously work for B-M from 1999 to 2007. Her specialties include collective bargaining, M&A, litigation, workplace accidents and public affairs campaigns. Read more about Susanne here.
 Pete Havel joins B-M as a Manager in Public Affairs based in Dallas. Prior to Burson-Marsteller, he was the Executive Director for Congressional and Public Affairs for the Southwest and South Central Regions for the United States Chamber of Commerce. Throughout his career, Pete has represented and advocated for three of the nation's leading trade associations. He has more than 12 years of experience as a strategic planner, spokesman, fundraiser, public policy strategist and manager. Read more about Pete here.
Erin Garvey has been appointed as a Manager in the Issues and Crisis Group in San Francisco and will join us starting August 1st. Erin was San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's Chief Deputy Communications Director, and she served as media-relations strategist, speechwriter, and spokesperson. She is also an attorney and has White House and national campaign experience working for President Bill Clinton and Senator John Kerry. Read more about Erin here. 7/13/2010 12:47 PM
Burson-Marsteller has released a new Evidence-Based study today looking at how some of the largest U.S.-based political advocacy groups like the NRA, MoveOn.org and AARP are using social media during the run-up to the crucial mid-term elections in November. Burson-Marsteller selected 34 advocacy groups to evaluate, with data limited to the timeframe of March 15, 2010 to April 30, 2010 (six weeks). The sample breaks down as follows: 14 right-leaning groups, 15 left-leaning groups and 5 neutral groups. Because of the low sample size for neutral groups, results for the 5 neutral groups are included in the overall results, but this data is not broken out in the detailed analysis. At the outset of our research process, we could locate no definitive index or compilation of political advocacy groups. Therefore, for the purposes of this study, we selected 34 groups that we deemed to be politically influential. We sought to represent a range of political viewpoints and include groups that attempt to influence a range of key public policy issues. This study does not include the lobbying arms of corporations or specific industry groups nor does it include the efforts of organized labor.
See press release here.
See study below:
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