The change of leadership will take effect on October 1, 2024
NEW YORK, 20 August 2024 /PRNewswire/ — FleishmanHillard Inc., an Omnicom PR Group (OPRG) agency, today announced that its current Global Chief Operating Officer and President Americas, JJ Carter, will become President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2018. October 1, 2024He succeeds John Saunderswho will assume the role of Chairman of FleishmanHillard.
Carter, 49, was named the agency’s global chief operating officer and Americas president in 2016. Saunders, 66, was named president and CEO in 2015 after leaving FleishmanHillard’s Europe, Middle East And Africa Region.
JJ Carter (right) will become President and CEO of FleishmanHillard, succeeding John Saunders (left), who will take over as Chairman.
“JJ has the experience, skills and vision to rapidly build on FleishmanHillard’s legacy. I am confident in his ability to drive innovation, teamwork and growth that will accelerate FleishmanHillard’s excellence and expand relationships with clients around the world,” said Chris FosterCEO of OPRG. “We are grateful for John’s decades of dedication and leadership and look forward to his continued leadership as Chairman of FleishmanHillard.”
Saunders’ relationship with FleishmanHillard began more than 37 years ago, when the agency he founded Ireland became a partner. John later joined forces with FleishmanHillard and formed the company then known as FleishmanHillard Saunders. IrelandIn 2023, he became the first person in the communications industry to be awarded an honorary doctorate in philosophy. Dublin City University.
“I look back with pride and gratitude on more than three decades at FleishmanHillard, for the support of so many colleagues around the world and the trust that some of the world’s leading companies have placed in us. However, it is now time for me to step back and spend more time with my family, both in Dublin and in London and with my six little grandchildren, from whom I miss being away so much.
“I have complete confidence in JJ as President and CEO. I have seen him in action for many years and respect his strengths and leadership abilities, no matter how rapid and complex the changes. JJ is a person of outstanding personal integrity and I fully support his election,” said Saunders.
Carter has been with FleishmanHillard since 2005 and has held a number of key leadership positions. Prior to that, he led the agency’s Eastern and Western regions in the United States together with Canada And Mexicowas General Manager of one of the company’s largest offices in San Franciscowas Global Client Relationship Manager for one of the agency’s largest multinational clients, building on the firm’s existing experience to launch the agency’s global sports marketing practice. During his time at FleishmanHillard, he also recruited transformational leaders across key markets, global clients and practice areas.
“It is a tremendous privilege to follow in John’s footsteps and lead the company into the future during one of the most complex and consequential moments in our history,” said Carter. “To accelerate our growth, deliver transformative work for our clients and provide a best-in-class experience for our employees, we will leverage our strengths as a trusted partner to our clients, while also expanding our capabilities and exploring new tools and ways of working together. We will always deliver smart, creative solutions that put the audience at the center and increase impact for our clients.”
Recognized as a trusted advisor to iconic brands in their biggest moments and on the biggest global stages, Carter has advised clients on IPOs, CEO transitions, breakthrough product launches, complex mergers and global sponsorship activations. He excels at connecting brand, business strategy, technology and leadership into cohesive narratives that resonate with employees, customers, investors, business partners and media alike.
Carter will report to Foster and will be a member of OPRG’s global leadership team.
About FleishmanHillard
FleishmanHillard specializes in public relations, reputation management, public affairs, brand marketing, digital strategy, social engagement and content strategy. FleishmanHillard was named Campaign Global PR Agency of the Year in 2020, 2021 and 2022; ICCO Large Agency of the Year – The Americas in 2023; PRWeek US Agency of the Year in 2022 and 2023; PRWeek US Outstanding Extra-Large Agency of the Year in 2022 and 2023; Campaign US PR Agency of the Year in 2023; PRovoke APAC Consultancy of the Year in 2021; and PRWeek UK Large Consultancy of the Year in 2021. FleishmanHillard is part of Omnicom PR Group and has nearly 80 offices in more than 30 countries, as well as subsidiaries in 45 countries.
About Omnicom PR Group (OPRG)
Omnicom PR Group (OPRG) is the world’s largest global network of communications and consulting agencies. It is home to three of the world’s leading PR agencies: FleishmanHillard, Ketchum, Porter Novelli and more than a dozen specialty agencies in corporate and public affairs, political consulting and advertising, language strategy, global health strategy and organizational transformation. OPRG is part of Omnicom (NYSE: OMC). www.TeamOPRG.com.
Never miss a story from FleishmanHillard Inc.
