Former COSCO America Chairman Joins APCO
Builds on Firm’s Deep Expertise in China
Beijing, China (January 16, 2008) – Gao Weijie, former chairman of China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO) America, joined APCO Worldwide as a senior counselor and International Advisory Council (IAC) member, Margery Kraus, President and chief executive officer, announced today. Gao, who also serves as chairman of the China operation of Lloyd’s Register Asia, has more than 42 years of experience in the shipping, transportation and logistics industry.
"Gao's exceptional experience working in China, Europe and the United States is unique," said Kraus. "He knows how to operate successfully in some of the world’s most important markets. Gao’s insights will prove invaluable to Western clients looking to enter and expand in China and beyond, and also to Chinese and other new multinationals based in emerging economies who want to grow their operations westward."
"Joining APCO was an easy decision for me," said Gao. "When I was a client, I was impressed with their deep understanding of the complex issues facing Asia-based multinationals. Now that I am a member of the team, I see first-hand how seamless their global cooperation and expertise really is."
Gao started his career at COSCO in 1965, eventually serving as executive vice president. During his career at COSCO, Gao was involved in overseeing various aspects of the firm, including ship husbanding, planning, chartering, operations, pricing and the commercial aspects of shipping including insurance, protection and indemnity issues, and claim settlements. He played a key role in COSCO’s drive for containerization in 1977, and helped spearhead the firm’s European business. In 1997, Gao was promoted to executive vice president of the COSCO Group with responsibility for leading the Group’s core business in shipping, intermodal transportation and logistics. He later served as chairman of COSCO America, overseeing all of the firm’s operations in the United States and Americas.
Gao acted as a leading spokesperson for the COSCO Group, facilitating international cooperation and dialogue between the shipping and transportation industries and government, particularly in the United States. In addition, Gao was formerly vice-chairman of both the China Shipowners Association and the China International Freight Forwarders Association. He was also a member of several other key global industry and trade organizations, including the Box Club, the World Shipping Council, and the Asian Shipowners Forum.
About APCO Worldwide
Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an independently owned global communication consultancy with offices in major cities throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. APCO was named 2007 PR Agency of the Year by PR News; 2006 Agency of the Year by PRWeek; 2007, 2006 and 2005 European Consultancy of the Year by Public Affairs News; and 2004 Public Affairs Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report. Clients include corporations, governments, industry associations and nonprofit organizations. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO includes among its clients seven of the top 10 companies on Fortune’s Global 500. Core services include corporate, investor and internal communication; crisis management; issue management; government relations; litigation communication; media relations; coalition building; opinion research; market entry; corporate responsibility and online communication. APCO is a majority women-owned business. For more information, please visit www.apcoworldwide.com
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