Two senior-level appointments strengthen company’s integrated expertise
Ottawa, ON – March 14, 2012 – Mike Coates, president and CEO of Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada, the country’s top-ranked PR and government relations firm, is pleased to announce two vice-president appointments in the Ottawa communications practice. David Rodier has been promoted and Mike Storeshaw will join the company on March 19. Well-known for its public affairs work, Hill+Knowlton’s capital city office is also a leading PR firm in the Ottawa area.
“These appointments are consistent with an ongoing effort to broaden our robust service offering in the Ottawa market and across Canada,” says vice president Jackie King, group leader of the communications team and national practice leader, change and internal communications. “Showcasing and investing in senior talent for our communications group is imperative for continued growth in what is arguably the finest integrated communications practice in the region.”
David Rodier brings two decades of experience – with expertise in science and technology, health and life sciences, and energy – to Hill+Knowlton’s communications team, including 10 years of consulting experience at another public relations firm. He will continue to provide bilingual executive training services and integrated public affairs and communications advice to clients. Trained as a lawyer, David spent several years with the Government of Canada as an advisor to the Honourable Allan Rock where he led policy initiatives such as the HIV/AIDS and tobacco strategies and the modernization of Canada’s organized crime legislation. He played a critical role in Canada’s precedent-setting adoption of picture warnings on cigarette packaging.
Mike Storeshaw joins Hill+Knowlton Strategies from another PR firm where he provided executive counsel and training to a variety of private- and public-sector clients, bridging communications and government relations disciplines. Proficient in both official languages, Mike also served as the director of communications for the Honourable Vic Toews in the office of the minister of justice and attorney general of Canada and Treasury Board president; and later for the Honourable Jim Flaherty, minister of finance. In both roles, Mike provided strategic communications counsel to the minister and the department, as well as across departments on government-wide initiatives, such as the federal budget.
“Since joining us in 2010, David’s insights and aptitude for integrated communications have been integral to attracting new clients and building on our executive and media training capabilities; and Mike’s strategic thinking and ability to implement complex communications plans fits well in our network,” says Goldy Hyder, senior vice president and general manager of Hill+Knowlton’s Ottawa office. “It is clear that David’s and Mike’s broad knowledge, superior client-relationship skills and proven leadership in communications and public affairs will be important for our clients and invaluable to our company as a whole.”
About Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada
With nine offices across the country, Hill+Knowlton Strategies is a leader in both PR and government relations. The company is the No. 1-rated strategic public relations firm in Canada. It specializes in corporate communications, public affairs, marketing communications, crisis, energy, technology, health care, digital communications, financial communications and transactions. The only public relations firm to have earned the Order of Excellence from Excellence Canada, it is also recognized as one of the 2011 Best Workplaces in Canada. Its parent company, Hill+Knowlton Strategies Inc., has 86 offices in 46 countries as well as an extensive associate network and is a member of WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY), one of the world’s largest communications services groups.