Former Nike Head of Corporate Communications Joins APCO
Kirk Stewart to Lead Corporate Practice
Washington, D.C. (April 6, 2006) – Kirk Stewart, former global vice president of corporate communications for Nike, Inc. is joining APCO Worldwide as executive vice president and leader of its corporate communication practice, Margery Kraus, president and chief executive officer, announced today.
Stewart, who has 25 years of experience in public relations and public affairs, will play a leading role in serving APCO’s existing corporate clients and helping broaden and expand its corporate communication practice. He will also serve as a member of APCO’s regional executive committee and be based in APCO’s New York office.
APCO, historically well known for its public affairs capabilities, has expanded greatly its corporate communication services in recent years, including corporate reputation management and research, internal communication and executive-level counsel. APCO’s financial communication experience and services have also expanded to include mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, debt market communication and investor relations as well as representation of financial institutions.
“We worked directly with Kirk for several years while he was at Nike and have immense confidence in his wisdom and talent. He was a key member of the team that helped evolve Nike from a company in crisis to a company that is now recognized as a leading corporate citizen,” said Neal Cohen, APCO’s chief executive officer, North America. “With his agency experience, he also brings a deep understanding of how consultancies operate to produce significant client benefit. Kirk’s role will be to apply this experience and expertise to clients in building our corporate business.”
Stewart joined Nike in 1997 after serving as chairman and chief executive of the global public relations firm Manning, Selvage & Lee. During his eight years with Nike, Stewart had responsibility for corporate media relations, brand communication, crisis and issues management, internal communication, community affairs, sustainable development and stakeholder engagement. He also co-led the global corporate responsibility team and helped Nike become recognized for the positive impact it has on communities around the globe.
“I have enormous respect and admiration for APCO,” Stewart said. “The firm has an extraordinary cast of senior people working directly with clients. I believe it is also at the center of the future of the corporate communications business that will require experts working at the intersection of public policy, public opinion and finance.”
During his 16-year career at Manning, Selvage & Lee he also served as managing director of its Los Angeles office, president of the U.S. operation and president and chief executive of the firm before becoming chairman. Prior to joining Manning, Stewart was director of public affairs for the then-information services division of TRW and a senior account executive at the public relations firm of Burson-Marsteller.
Stewart received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and his Master of Arts in Public Relations from the University of Southern California (USC), where he was an instructor in the school of journalism for six years. He was named an agency management all-star by INSIDE PR magazine and received the Distinguished Journalism Alumni Award from USC’s School of Journalism. Stewart is a member of the Public Relations Society of America, The Arthur W. Page Society, The PR Seminar, a trustee of the Institute for Public Relations and a member of the board of directors of Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
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 2006 Agency of the Year by PR Week, 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 six of the top 10 companies on Fortune’s Global 500. APCO is a majority women-owned business. For more information, please visit www.apcoworldwide.com.
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Contact:
Megan Carpenter
APCO Worldwide
+202-659-7913
mcarpenter@apcoworldwide.com