Accomplished Business, Media, Political Leader To Head APCO’s New Istanbul Office
Istanbul (February 23, 2012) – Zeynep Dereli, a respected leader in Turkish business, media and politics, joins APCO Worldwide as managing director of the company’s new Istanbul office, Founder and CEO Margery Kraus announced today. The office will serve as a critical bridge between east and west, connecting the firm’s more than 30 locations around the world.
“After a decade of exceptional GDP growth rates, Turkey plays an increasingly important role in global geopolitics and international economic growth,” said Kraus. “APCO’s continued investment in Turkey will be vital in ensuring the firm’s long-term, sustainable business success.”
“Zeynep will be a valuable resource in providing our clients with high-level, local counsel on the changing policy environment in Turkey,” said Brad Staples, president, international. “She brings a deep understanding of the structure and mechanics of Turkish government and media, as well as strong relationships that will help companies engage successfully with their networks of stakeholders.”
Prior to joining APCO, Dereli was general coordinator and founding member of the Turkish Policy Forum, a leading Istanbul think tank, and founding partner of Glow Communications. She also served as director of the Atlantic Council’s Black Sea Energy and Economic Forum, an annual initiative that brings business and policy leaders together to discuss Eurasia’s leading economic and energy challenges.
“APCO has a proven history of helping companies succeed in Turkish business,” said Dereli. “I look forward to enhancing APCO’s ability to assist clients in effectively leveraging and navigating new business opportunities in Turkey’s dynamic and complex market.”
Earlier in her career, Dereli worked for Shell Trading and Shipping Company in London in derivatives trading, risk analysis, research and regulatory compliance. She later became a supply financial analyst at Shell Turkey and was a member of the mergers and acquisitions teams for Dundas, Unlu & Co., Istanbul, a boutique investment bank.
Dereli has been an active voice in politics since the March 2009 Turkish elections, when she won a seat at the county council in Istanbul Sisli Municipality. She also previously produced and presented a weekly foreign policy program, “Leaders and Decisions,” on the Turkish nationwide television news channel SKY Turk and CNBC-e.
Dereli serves as vice president of the Turkish Ethical Values Foundation and is a founding member of Endeavor Turkey. She also is a senior research fellow at the Foreign Policy Center, a UK-based independent foreign affairs think tank founded by the late former British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as patron.
APCO’s Istanbul office will open in March 2012.
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About APCO Worldwide
Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an award-winning, independently owned global communication consultancy with offices in major cities throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. APCO currently has two offices in India, in New Delhi and Mumbai. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO clients include corporations and governments; industry associations and nonprofit organizations; and six of the top 10 companies on the Fortune 500. APCO offers services related to business, industry and finance; media, public opinion and society; and government and public policy. The firm is a majority women-owned business. For more information, please visit www.apcoworldwide.com.