H&K CMO retires from the firm after 25 years
London 7th January 2010 - Hill & Knowlton has announced that its chief marketing officer, Tony Burgess-Webb, will retire from the firm in February. A distinguished 25-year veteran, Burgess-Webb pioneered H&K’s move into digital communications in the 1990s and led the firm in its successful drive to become the world’s leading transnational communications consultancy.
Burgess-Webb joined H&K in 1985, quickly showcasing his talent and innovation in client service. In a few short years, he set up and managed the European regional marketing, technology and healthcare practices. He founded Netcoms, the firm’s first digital practice in 1994, and in 2000, became the global digital practice leader. In 2005, he was named chief marketing officer, responsible for the firm’s brand, new business and marketing worldwide. Most recently, he has championed the firm’s social media initiatives, its global transnational client service offer and H&K’s participation in the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity.
Paul Taaffe, H&K CEO, said: “Tony has been one of our greatest innovators and played a key part in the growth of the agency over the last 25 years. He has led the firm’s drive to be the best-in-class for serving clients globally across borders, with the result that today more than 60 percent of our business is transnational. He pioneered H&K's move into digital in the 1990s, championing all aspects of our use of net-based and other technologies, and latterly innovating in social media. I am grateful to Tony for his personal commitment, his strategic and creative input and his tireless push to make H&K the gold standard in our business.”
