Weber Shandwick Names Gail Heimann President, Chief Strategy Officer; Frank Okunak, Chief Operating Officer
NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2013 – Weber Shandwick, one of the world’s leading global public relations agencies, today announced that Gail Heimann has been named president and chief strategy officer of the firm. An 18-year Weber Shandwick veteran, Heimann’s global remit will include overarching responsibility for working with practice leaders and their teams to continue to transform and drive innovation throughout the firm’s specialties, products and services.
Heimann, chief judge of the PR Jury at the Cannes Lions last year, is recognized in the industry – and by her teams and clients – as one of the leading creative and strategic thinkers in the marketing services industry.
“Weber Shandwick’s leadership position in our industry reflects a focus on delivering extraordinary, impactful work for our clients every day, around the world. Gail’s creative and strategic contributions are at the center of many of these efforts, for key multinational clients,” said Andy Polansky, CEO, Weber Shandwick. “With so much changing in our industry and beyond, her leadership has been and will be an important driver of the firm’s ongoing success.”
Okunak Promoted to Chief Operating Officer
Frank Okunak, Weber Shandwick’s Chief Financial Officer, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO). Okunak, who also has spent 18 years at the firm, will have global oversight managing the agency’s financial and administrative operations.
“Operating excellence is a Weber Shandwick hallmark, and Frank has played an instrumental role in Weber Shandwick’s strong business performance over the past several years,” Polansky said.