Burson-Marsteller Names Michael Law U.S. CEO

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and communications firm, today announced that Michael Law has been named U.S. CEO, effective Sept. 1. Law will succeed Dave DenHerder, who became U.S. CEO in 2012 and previously served as the CEO of Burson-Marsteller's grassroots division Direct Impact. DenHerder will continue to work with Burson-Marsteller and its parent holding company WPP as a senior counselor for key clients.

Law, 51, joined Burson-Marsteller in Feb. 2013 as U.S. President. In that role, he worked closely with DenHerder to ensure the highest standards of client service, to drive business development across the region and to recruit and retain top talent.

“Michael is a strategic, creative and collegial leader in the communications field who is highly respected across the industry for his dedication to the highest standards of client service,” said Donald A. Baer, Worldwide Chair and CEO of Burson-Marsteller, to whom Law will report. “Michael's global experience and perspective; his passion for identifying, attracting and cultivating talent; and his rigorous focus on professionalism all make him the right choice for this crucial role. Our U.S. region under Dave's leadership has produced new levels of growth and success, and I am confident we will have a seamless transition from Dave to Michael that will continue our progress toward being the best ideas-driven, results-oriented communications firm in the world.

“Dave has been a valued colleague and key part of our executive leadership team,” Baer continued. “We are extraordinarily grateful for his years of service and client leadership, both at Burson-Marsteller and Direct Impact, and we look forward to his continued role as a key client counselor and an important adviser to the firm.”

Added DenHerder, “Michael and I have worked as true partners over the last 18 months, and his dedication to the success of the agency is absolute and unwavering. Burson-Marsteller's critically important U.S. market is in extraordinarily capable hands.”

“I have long admired the great work done by the agency that was built by Harold Burson and was honored to join such a talented and highly skilled team last spring,” said Law. “As we move ahead, I look forward to building on Burson-Marsteller's extraordinary heritage and to ensuring we have the people and expertise our clients need to navigate a constantly evolving business landscape successfully.”

Law is a veteran of the WPP network of agencies, serving for more than 20 years with Ogilvy Public Relations in various roles in the U.S. and Asia-Pacific. Immediately before joining Burson-Marsteller, he led Ogilvy Public Relations' West Coast operations for nine years. Under his leadership, the market's revenue and profit tripled and new practice areas were added. Law also held senior executive roles at Ogilvy in Singapore, Hong Kong and Washington, D.C. Before joining Ogilvy, Law worked for the United States Department of Justice.

Throughout his career, Law has been deeply engaged in the areas of environmental communications and sustainability, helping businesses understand the evolving needs of stakeholders as environmental issues become more prominent in the global marketplace. He has particular expertise in crisis management, coalition building and corporate social responsibility. During his career, he has worked on clients including Ford Motor Company, the American Chemistry Council, Molson Coors Brewing Company, Elf Atochem and Lehigh Hanson Aggregates.

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, reputation and crisis management, advertising and digital strategies. The firm's seamless worldwide network consists of 73 offices and 85 affiliate offices, together operating in 110 countries across six continents. Burson-Marsteller is a part of Young & Rubicam Group, a subsidiary of WPP WPPGY, the world's leading communications services network. For more information, please visit bm.com.