Douglas Hesney Appointed Head of Makovsky's Financial and Professional Services Practice

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Makovsky, one of the world's largest independent integrated communications firms, has named Douglas Hesney as Executive Vice President and leader of its financial and professional services practice. Doug brings more than 10 years of experience in financial and professional services communications to Makovsky, and a sterling record of business growth.

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Doug comes to Makovsky after serving as Executive Vice President at Dukas Linden Public Relations, where he led the firm's Asset Management practice. While at DLPR, Doug was responsible for designing strategic communications programs for the firm's asset management clients and related service providers. He also designed the DLPR's analytics and measurement programs, and led business development efforts for his practice. Over the last few years, the group's annual revenues grew by more than 200%.

"We're delighted Doug has joined Makovsky. His strong track record of leadership speaks for itself. We're thrilled to bring aboard a professional who holds proven insight and deep subject-matter knowledge in both financial and professional services," said Ken Makovsky, the firm's founder, president and CEO.

"Doug is a dynamic leader and just what we need in this competitive marketplace," said Denise Vitola, Makovsky's managing director. "With his expertise, we believe Makovsky can take advantage of the many evolving needs of companies that need to communicate to the business press and reach the C-Suite and investor class."

Doug brings a wealth of experience and knowledge working with an array of institutional and retail asset management firms and a variety of active and passive strategies, including long-term value, long-short equity multi-boutique affiliates, relative and distressed credit and benchmark funds. His professional services experience includes working with a variety of law firms, accounting firms and management consultancies to promote their businesses to key targets.

"I could not be prouder that Ken and Denise have placed their confidence in me to lead Makovsky's financial services and professional services team," added Doug Hesney. "I've long respected Makovsky's ability to create influential and dynamic communications programs. Under Ken and Denise's leadership, the firm has developed a superior offering that integrates print, online, broadcast, digital and social media. It's my hope that our collective skills will make us an even more powerful competitor in today's business environment. I am excited about what we can do together and the future we can create."

Doug holds a Juris Doctor from St. John's University and a B.A. in Political Science and Mass Communications from Washington & Lee University.

About Makovsky

Founded in 1979, Makovsky (www.makovsky.com) is one of the nation's largest and most influential independent integrated communications firms. The firm attributes its success to its original vision: that the Power of Specialized Thinking™ is the best way to build reputation, sales and fair valuation for a client. Based in New York City, the firm has agency partners with nearly 2,000 professionals in 100 cities through IPREX (IPREX.com), the second largest worldwide public relations agency partnership, of which Makovsky is the founder.

In 2014 and 2015, Makovsky has won more than 50 awards for the agency, its client campaigns and its people. The firm has been ranked #7 in The New York Observer "PR Power 50 List" of the most influential firms in New York City.

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