Burson-Marsteller Announces Senior China Appointments

Dec. 5, 2010 - PRLog -- New York & Singapore, December 6th 2010 – Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and communications consultancy, announced today that it has promoted Cindy Tian from President to Executive Chairwoman of Burson-Marsteller China and appointed Chris Deri as Chief Executive Officer and Market Leader of Burson-Marsteller China. Both Tian and Deri report to Bob Pickard, the firm’s Asia-Pacific President and CEO.

Deri joins Burson-Marsteller from Edelman, where he was executive vice president and leader of the global corporate social responsibility and sustainability practice. During his ten years at Edelman, Deri played a key role in new business acquisition and in the development and growth of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability practice. He has significant communications experience counseling Western and Chinese multinationals. He is also a recognized thought leader and innovator in the area of global CSR. Deri learned Mandarin and taught English at Shandong University in China early in his career.

“The powerful combination of Cindy Tian and Chris Deri gives Burson-Marsteller an incredibly strong senior leadership in China which I feel confident will accelerate our momentum in a vital market where, under Cindy’s excellent leadership, we have been enjoying record levels of commercial achievement,” said Burson-Marsteller Worldwide CEO Mark Penn. “Chris Deri’s global reputation providing corporate communications counsel at the very highest levels, coupled with his proven track record building a successful business, make him the perfect candidate for this key position.”

“China is now the most compelling place to serve clients in the world of public relations and I am delighted to be returning to Asia-Pacific,” said Deri, who will also serve as B-M’s regional Practice Leader for Corporate Responsibility. “Burson-Marsteller has a reputation for excellence and a very strong presence throughout Asia-Pacific. I look forward to working with Cindy and the team to further build our business in China.”

Since her appointment to lead Burson-Marsteller China in 2006, Tian has presided over the substantial success of the firm’s China business, which is now poised to enter a new phase of opportunity and growth. Accordingly, in her more senior role, she will be focused on senior client relationships and spearheading B-M China’s continued strategic expansion geographically and in new offerings and services.

“This year Burson-Marsteller is celebrating the 25th anniversary of our presence in Mainland China,” said Tian. “Building on our rich history and wealth of experience serving an expanding portfolio of Western and Chinese multinational clients, I look forward to working with Chris to take our business to the next level.”

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About Burson-Marsteller: Burson-Marsteller, established in 1953, is a leading global public relations and communications 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 67 offices and 71 affiliate offices, together operating in 98 countries across six continents. Burson-Marsteller is a part of Young & Rubicam Brands, a subsidiary of WPP , one of the world’s leading communications services networks.

Burson-Marsteller Asia-Pacific is the leading consultancy for organizations communicating in Asia-Pacific and internationally. With a presence in the region dating back to 1973, Burson-Marsteller Asia-Pacific today includes 31 offices and affiliates in 17 countries integrated seamlessly into a global network operating in 98 countries.