Weber Shandwick, a global PR powerhouse, welcomes Ben Branham as the new Executive Vice President of corporate and public affairs for their New York branch, starting on September 9. A seasoned communication strategist, Branham, will not only manage the personnel but also deliver impactful and innovative strategies.
Branham boasts a proven track record in the field, notably serving as the Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer at Pythia Public where he facilitated the inauguration of the city’s first Major League Soccer stadium. He showcased his unique ability to navigate complicated logistics within financial constraints and successfully transformed the project into a part of affordable housing development.
His compelling strategical approach in launching the Major League Soccer stadium has won the hearts of many New Yorkers and left an immeasurable impact on the city’s landscape and its residents’ lives. His time at Pythia Public was just one stop in his illustrious career; he also served as the Chief Communication Officer for The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey from 2018 to 2022.
His tenure saw influential projects like the revamp of LaGuardia Airport and the observation of the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Branham’s tenure at The Port Authority saw successful critical infrastructural changes, demonstrating his skills in crisis management and strategic planning.
The recruitment of Branham is inline with Weber Shandwick’s ongoing push to add skilled professionals to its ranks, such as Sheila Mulligan, Jordan Rittenberry, and Errol Cockfield.
Branham’s strategic appointment at Weber Shandwick
Their combined skill sets significantly add to Weber Shandwick’s mission to provide high-quality communication consultancy and handle high-stake communication challenges.
Weber Shandwick, currently in a swift expansion phase, reported a 6% increase in revenue in 2023. With the recent retirement of CEO Gail Heimann, agency president Susan Howe is now at the helm. Known for her innovative marketing strategies and strategic leadership, Howe is predicted to lead the company towards consistent growth.
Weber Shandwick’s current agenda places considerable emphasis on digital transformation and expansion to meet the growing global demand for top-tier PR services, aiming to consolidate its position in the PR and Communications industry. Their decision to diversify and strive for growth despite emerging market challenges exhibits an opportunity for long-term success.
Continuing to show a steady growth in revenue, Weber Shandwick demonstrates the strength of its business model and the dedication of its team. Clearly, the company’s future looks bright under the stewardship of Susan Howe.
