Press Releases
Waggener Edstrom Worldwide Appoints New Vice President, Digital Advocacy
SUZANNE ZURN TO CONSULT ON PUBLIC AFFAIRS CAMPAIGNS
SEATTLE — JULY 28, 2010 — Global integrated communications agency Waggener Edstrom Worldwide (WE) has added Suzanne Zurn as vice president, digital advocacy, in the Washington, D.C., office, effective July 9. The role has a public affairs focus, and Zurn will report directly to Nadina Guglielmetti, WE’s vice president, digital consulting.
Zurn brings a wealth of experience spanning traditional and digital communications, grassroots campaigns, agency accounts, fundraising, public affairs, and business development. Over a 15-year career, she has become a trusted advisor on using digital strategies to inform, educate and engage the public on public policy issues.
“Suzanne is a vibrant, visible personality whose vast depth and breadth of experience make her a perfect fit for our practice. She shares our expertise and passion for influence, and we anticipate she will quickly make a huge impact for our clients,” Guglielmetti said.
Zurn most recently worked at Washington, D.C.-based Xenophon Strategies, where she was responsible for leading the agency’s expansion of social media offerings and Web services, and directed online initiatives for public affairs campaigns. Previously she served in leadership positions at political communication firms, as communications director at The George Washington University, and on the campaign staffs of Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan.
Her consulting experience includes developing strategic plans and managing campaigns to influence policymakers, the media and the public. Notable clients have included ExxonMobil Corp., Southwest Airlines Corp., Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc., Air Transport Association of America Inc., Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, American Academy of Family Physicians, Associated General Contractors of New York State and AOL Inc.
Her work has been recognized with awards from the Public Relations Society of America (including the Silver Anvil for best PA campaign in 2009), the American Association of Political Consultants, the Public Affairs Council, and the National Conference for Political Involvement Professionals. She is a member of several boards and organizations, including currently serving on the board of directors for Women in Government Relations. She is also a prominent and active speaker at industry conferences; most recently, she shared her insights on using social media in issue campaigns at this year’s American Association of Political Consultants conference.
Zurn is an alumna of The George Washington University (master of arts, political management), The American University (Campaign Management Institute), and Washburn University (bachelor of arts, cum laude, communication studies and political science). She lives in Virginia with her husband and son.
For more information, press only:
Brooke Preston, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, (503) 443-7255, bpreston@waggeneredstrom.com
About Waggener Edstrom Worldwide
Waggener Edstrom Worldwide (WE) is a global, integrated communications agency. For more than 25 years, the independently owned firm has developed strategic communications programs for innovative and world-changing clients, working to influence markets, inspire people and improve lives. PRWeek US named WE an agency to watch in its Editors’ Choice 2010: Who to Watch list and presented its PR Innovation of the Year 2010 award to WE for its twendz™ application. The Holmes Report also named WE its 2010 Technology Agency of the Decade. In 2009, WE was awarded Best PR Agency in North America by International Business Awards and Top Place to Work in PR by PR News. The agency has nearly 800 employees in 16 offices around the world, and its 23 Global Alliance partners expand the agency’s reach to 30 additional international markets. WE has seven global practices: Analyst Relations, Consumer Marketing, Corporate Communications, Healthcare, Public Affairs, Technology and WE Social Innovation, along with its WE Studio D™ digital strategies group. To learn more, visit http://www.WaggenerEdstrom.com.
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