MOSCOW--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PBN Hill+Knowlton Strategies’ co-founders and top executives Peter Necarsulmer and Susan Thurman today announced the appointment of Myron Wasylyk as chief executive officer of the strategic communications company, effective Jan. 1, 2014.
Wasylyk, 51, will lead PBN H+K’s operations in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and the United States. A partner and shareholder in the firm, Wasylyk established and then directed the company’s successful Ukraine office since 1996, where he was also responsible for clients and operations in Azerbaijan, Moldova, and other CIS countries.
Following 30 years at the helm, Chairman and CEO Peter Necarsulmer and President Susan Thurman will devote full-time attention to the firm’s clients and strategic integration with Hill+Knowlton Strategies’ global network of 89 offices in 52 countries. Necarsulmer will serve as executive chairman and Thurman will become vice-chair and senior advisor.
“The appointments of Myron Wasylyk as CEO, and the new roles for Necarsulmer and Thurman, mark an important management transition in the firm after more than three decades in business, which included start-up strategic communications businesses in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries,” said Hill+Knowlton Strategies Global Chairman and CEO Jack Martin. “PBN has pioneered and defined the public relations and public affairs industries in these countries since 1991, and this transition will allow PBN Hill+Knowlton Strategies to continue shaping the market going forward,” Martin added.
The Holmes Report ranked PBN H+K Strategies 2013 Russia Consultancy of the Year. Some of its blue clip clients include Abbott, Amazon, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, Chrysler/Fiat, Etihad, Evraz, Kingfisher, Kinross Gold, P&G, Russian Copper Company, TripAdvisor and Yota Devices.
“Promotion from within PBN Hill+Knowlton Strategies will ensure the high level of client service across core markets will continue going forward and nobody is more qualified to lead the firm than Myron Wasylyk, our partner of 17 years,” Peter Necarsulmer said.
“With Myron as CEO of PBN Hill+Knowlton Strategies, we have a seasoned communications expert and an accomplished leader at the company helm,” said Lars Erik Gronntun, president of Hill+Knowlton Strategies Europe. “I have come to know Myron for his sound judgment and visionary ideas and know our clients will benefit greatly with him as leader,” Gronntun added.
Oksana Monastyrska, a 16-year veteran of the company who ran the firm's corporate, crisis, and marketing communications practices, will become vice president and managing director of the Ukraine operations effective Jan. 1, 2014. Senior Counselor Philip Griffin was named director of government relations in Ukraine, also effective Jan. 1.
“It’s with great pleasure that Susan and I announce these management promotions,” Necarsulmer said. “We have great confidence in the management teams in place in core markets and we’re fully prepared to support their lead in client services and new business development.”
PBN Hill+Knowlton Strategies is the preeminent strategic communications and public relations firm specializing in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and the CIS. It was formed in 2012, with the merger of The PBN Company and Hill+Knowlton Strategies. Today, the firm is fully integrated with Hill+Knowlton Strategies worldwide, which offers senior counsel, insightful research and strategic communications from its 89 offices in 52 countries. Nearly half of all Fortune 500 global companies have chosen to work with Hill+Knowlton Strategies.
About Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Inc. is a leading international communications consultancy, providing services to local, multinational and global clients. The firm is headquartered in New York, with 89 offices in 52 countries, as well as an extensive associate network. The agency is part of WPP, the world’s largest communications services group. For more information, please visit www.hkstrategies.com.
