Hill+Knowlton Strategies' Canadian CEO Mike Coates to lead newly formed Americas region

Global role completes organizational alignment and promotes president, Goldy Hyder

TORONTO, July 21, 2014 /CNW/ - Effective today, as part of a move that sees Hill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K) unite operations between Canada, the United States and Latin America into an Americas regional structure, 30-year H+K Canada veteran Mike Coates becomes president and CEO of the newly formed Americas region for the global company, and will be headquartered in New York. The creation of the Americas region follows suit with the earlier APAC and EMEA regional announcements.

H+K Canada president, Goldy Hyder, remains as president and is promoted to CEO. Both Goldy and Antonio Tamayo, president and CEO of Latin America, now report to Mike.

"Change is good; change that brings nations and talent together is even better. This alignment offers our Canadian clients and employees remarkable growth opportunities," says Mike, who, for now, also serves as U.S. president and CEO. "While we've always done a good job of sharing information and creating teams that transcend geography, I'm excited to bring our best practices and world-class thinking from Canada to the rest of the Americas region. And, in return, continue our second-to-none performance at home using the benchmark-worthy work that I see our teams south of the border doing."

Mike joined what is now H+K Canada in 1983 and was promoted to president and CEO in 1995. Under his leadership, the firm has seen incredible momentum and continues to attract Canada's biggest brands and organizations; he has also significantly diversified the company's portfolio in recent years with acquisitions and partnerships that offer unparalleled expertise in public engagement, research and analytics, tech and digital. Thanks to his forward thinking, H+K Canada boasts eight consecutive Best Workplaces in Canada Award wins and some of the industry's lowest turnover rates.

"There is no one better suited, and no one I trust more, to lead our largest region," says Jack Martin, global chairman and CEO of H+K Strategies. "Under Mike's steady hand, we'll see even stronger connection between our offices, people and practices around the global network and provide increased opportunities for our colleagues to learn from, shine alongside and lead the most talented strategic communications professionals in the world."

As general manager of the Ottawa office before he was promoted in 2012 to president of H+K Canada, Goldy has continued to propel Canada forward as one of the most noteworthy regions in the worldwide H+K network.  A native Albertan, he served as the Rt. Honourable Joe Clark's chief of staff prior to joining the firm in 2001.

"I have been grooming Goldy for years to be my successor. He knows how to effectively mobilize a cross-country team and he understands the intricacies of a company that's as multifaceted as ours," adds Mike. "There is no question that Goldy was already performing at the CEO level, so we are confident that this promotion and transition will feel like business as usual at H+K."

Goldy will assume full Canadian operations, including responsibility for GCI Canada, effective immediately. Brian Mersereau, who joined the company with Mike in 1983, remains chairman, a role he has held since 2006.

"Our business has never been stronger, and I'm committed to ensuring our teams across the country continue the great work that our clients have come to expect," Goldy says. "I am honoured to take on the CEO role and look forward to the challenges that it presents—one that will see H+K Canada grow in unexpected ways with bigger, more creative solutions than ever before."

The new Americas region is made up of nearly 900 employees in 29 offices throughout eight countries, including Canada—which alone has nine offices— the U.S., Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico.

About H+K Canada

With nine offices across the country, Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada is a leader in both public relations and government relations. Headquartered in Toronto, the company is the No. 1-rated strategic communications firm in the country. Its experts specialize in corporate communications, public affairs, marketing communications, crisis, energy, technology, health care, social and digital communications, financial communications and transactions. The only communications firm to have earned the Order of Excellence from Excellence Canada, it has been recognized as one of the Best Workplaces in Canada for eight consecutive years. Its parent company, Hill+Knowlton Strategies Inc., has 87 offices in 49 countries as well as an extensive associate network; and it is a member of WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY), one of the world's largest communications services groups.

SOURCE: Hill & Knowlton Canada

Cameron Gordon, Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada, 416-413-4573, [email protected]