New York, September 17, 2007 – Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and communications consultancy, today announced it has promoted Michael Szumera and James Florez to managing directors within the U.S. region. Based in New York, Szumera will report to Ame Wadler, chair of Burson's Global Healthcare Practice and its Chief Strategic Officer. Based in Dallas, Florez will report directly to Mike Lake, Southwest Market Leader for Burson-Marsteller and Jim Lake, U.S. chair of the firm's Public Affairs Practice.
Szumera is a public relations strategist with more than 12 years of experience in healthcare communications. He currently works on corporate reputation and brand communications programs for some of the firm's largest healthcare clients. Szumera’s work has been recognized with numerous industry awards including the Big Apple, Silver Anvil and PRWeek Awards for such clients as AstraZeneca, Novartis and the State of New Jersey.
Florez has spent nearly two decades studying the minds of buyers and market influencers in the business-to-business and consumer segments. He has led campaigns in public relations, advertising and digital communications and has developed break-through brand strategies for companies in many sectors. In Burson's Public Affairs Practice, Florez serves as the general manager of the Dallas office, and is the client leader for City of Dallas Water Utilities, Celanese, Flowserve and the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
"These appointments significantly reinforce our commitment to growth in the U.S. as the firm continues to recognize superior talent dedicated to extraordinary client service," said Patrick Ford, Burson-Marsteller's U.S. President and CEO.
Prior to joining Burson-Marsteller, Szumera was a supervisor at Dorland Global Health Communications in Philadelphia. His areas of healthcare expertise include gastroenterology, CNS disorders, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from Monmouth University, with a double major in public relations/journalism and radio/television.
Before Burson-Marsteller, Florez served as the general manager of Edelman-Texas where he earned a reputation for using unconventional strategies and tactics to grow brands aggressively. Florez has worked as a journalist whose byline has appeared in numerous U.S. publications. He is active in many charitable and civic causes, including a nationally recognized non-profit medical clinic for low-income children, which he founded in his home town of Lewisville, Texas. Florez earned a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from Texas A&M University.
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About Burson-Marsteller
Burson-Marsteller (www.burson-marsteller.com), established in 1953, is a leading global public relations and public affairs firm. It provides clients with strategic thinking and program execution across a full range of public relations, public affairs, advertising, and web-related services. The firm’s seamless worldwide network consists of 57 wholly-owned offices and 46 affiliate offices, together operating in 59 countries across six continents. Burson-Marsteller is a part of Young & Rubicam Brands, a subsidiary of WPP (NASDQ: WPPGY), one of the world’s leading communications services networks.