Burson-Marsteller Appoints Erica Swerdlow as Midwest Market Leader

Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and communications firm, announced today the appointment of Erica Swerdlow as Midwest Market leader and Managing Director in the firm’s Brand Marketing Practice. Swerdlow is a veteran marketing communications executive who has worked with national business-to-business and consumer brands including McDonald’s, Monster Worldwide, Harman Veolia and Cars.com. She will be based in Chicago and report to U.S. President and CEO Patrick Ford. As Market Leader, Swerdlow will be responsible for leading operations in Chicago and expanding Burson-Marsteller’s presence and footprint in the Midwest region.

Burson-Marsteller Appoints Erica Swerdlow as Midwest Market Leader (Photo: Business Wire)

"Erica’s strong client service background and her years of agency leadership experience will be huge assets for us as she leads our Midwest operations,” said Ford. "We also look forward to the strong consumer marketing expertise she will bring to the firm.”

With more than 23 years of experience working in both public relations firms and client companies, Swerdlow has managed several global accounts and high-profile product launches throughout her career. For the past 10 years, she has worked with Porter Novelli, most recently as Executive Vice President. At Porter Novelli, she was responsible for overall development of strategic communications and social media programs for both business-to-business and consumer business. She also served as global client relationship leader for Penske Truck Leasing and Monster Worldwide.

She also led the communications team for Harman and was responsible for strategic counsel, as well as development and execution of all programs including CEO visibility, company messaging and financial and corporate media relations. In addition, she was the senior leader for the general consumer marketing and public relations for McDonald’s Owner/Operators of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. During her time at the agency, she also acted as the lead crisis communications counselor for Veolia Transportation during the Metrolink train collision in 2008.

"I am thrilled to be joining such a highly-respected firm as Burson-Marsteller and particularly working closely with the talented professionals in the Chicago office and throughout the Burson-Marsteller network,” said Swerdlow. "I look forward to leveraging the firm’s deep resources to best serve clients in this dynamic communications landscape.”

Prior to Porter Novelli, Swerdlow was president of EBS Public Relations Inc., a mid-size public relations agency later acquired by Porter Novelli in 2000. As president, she oversaw all agency operations, new business development and agency growth. She grew the agency to $4.2 million in revenues, and it was ranked the largest high-tech agency in the Midwest. She also managed and grew key accounts including Multi-Tech Systems, Callisto Software, Stonybridge Software, Denmac Solutions and iGo. She was also a Vice President at S&S Public Relations, a mid-size public relations agency, where she initiated and led the high-tech division for the agency.

Swerdlow has been honored for her work with a Gold Sabre and a Silver Anvil. She also produced and led the Illinois Annual Technology Conference (ILATC) from 2000 – 2003. Swerdlow obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education at The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

About Burson-Marsteller

Burson-Marsteller (www.burson-marsteller.com), established in 1953, is a leading global public relations and communications firm. It provides clients with strategic thinking and program execution across a full range of public relations, public affairs, advertising and web-related services. The firm’s seamless worldwide network consists of 67 offices and 71 affiliate offices, together operating in 97 countries across six continents. Burson-Marsteller is a part of Young & Rubicam Brands, a subsidiary of WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY), one of the world’s leading communications services networks.

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