Ogilvy PR Bolsters Growing European Public Affairs Practice with Appointment of Nicolas Acker in Brussels
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BRUSSELS, Belgium - January 16, 2012 - Ogilvy Public Relations (Ogilvy PR), a leading global multi-disciplinary communications and advocacy firm, today announced the appointment of Nicolas Acker as European Public Affairs Director, based in Brussels. Nicolas will lead the expansion of Ogilvy’s growing EU public affairs hub, reporting to Ogilvy PR/Brussels Managing Director Jeff Chertack.
This appointment, effective immediately, marks the latest step in Ogilvy PR’s public affairs growth strategy in the region. It follows public affairs veteran Jeff Chertack’s relocation from Washington DC, and the hire of Downing Street veteran Iain Bundred to London as Director of Strategic Media Relations.
“These actions confirm the agency’s commitment to strategically focus on strengthening our public affairs offer at a time when, more than ever, there is a need for an effective dialogue between the private sector and the political arena,” noted Chertack, to whom Acker will report. “Having a world-class professional heading the public affairs operations in Brussels is crucial for our office and we warmly welcome him on board.”
Acker, a French national, is a seasoned and highly respected public affairs practitioner with an in-depth knowledge of the EU scene and a strong network. He joins most recently from the EU public affairs consultancy Cabinet DN. Acker previously served in the public affairs practice at Weber Shandwick. He brings more than a decade of experience in European public affairs, with specific hands-on expertise in the EU energy-environment-transport policy triptych, the agro-food sector, the security and defense industry and sport-related dossiers.
Commenting on his appointment, Nicolas said: “I am proud to join such a renowned and acclaimed global agency. I look forward to working with Ogilvy PR’s multi-disciplinary team of experts and to contribute to the further build up of the company’s public affairs offer in Europe.”
Jamie Moeller, Managing Director of the firm’s Global Public Affairs Practice, added, “Brussels is a strategic priority for Ogilvy PR and a critical link in our global network; we are delighted that Nicolas has decided to join us at this crucial stage for the growth of our public affairs offering in Europe.”
In addition to developing the Brussels public affairs business, Nicolas will work within the Ogilvy & Mather European network to identify and develop public policy opportunities for Group clients. He will support Chertack and Moeller in connecting Brussels with the political hubs of Washington and Beijing.
Nicolas is a graduate of the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Strasbourg and holds post-graduate degrees in European affairs from the University of Paris III, in international administration from the University of Paris II and in international and strategic affairs from the University of Paris XIII.
Ogilvy PR/Brussels recently won the 2011 European Excellence Award in Public Affairs for its “All to Nagoya” campaign for WWF Belgium.
About Ogilvy Public Relations
Ogilvy Public Relations (Ogilvy PR) is a global, multi-disciplinary communications leader operating in more than 80 offices across six continents. In 2011, Ogilvy won more Cannes PR Lions than any other agency worldwide, was named Global Digital/Social Consultancy of the Year by the Holmes Report, won Specialist Agency of the Year in Asia Pacific (Campaign Asia) and won the WPP global, top award (WPPed Cream, Crème de la Crème) for the fourth time in five years. Ogilvy PR integrates deeply with all Ogilvy & Mather disciplines (advertising, direct marketing, activation, promotional, digital and entertainment) through the proprietary Ogilvy Fusion™ approach to delivering comprehensive, business solutions through content creation, community building, and communications with measurable results. Ogilvy PR is a unit of Ogilvy & Mather, a WPP company (NASDAQ: WPPGY), one of the world's largest communications services groups. For more information, visit our Web site at www.ogilvypr.com or follow us on Twitter at @ogilvypr.
For further information please contact:
Alenka Zibetto (Brussels)
+32 2 545 6564
Rachel Singleton (London)
+44 20 7309 1019