NATIONAL Public Relations Appoints Vanessa McDonald as Marketing Practice Lead

TORONTO, Jan. 17, 2012 /CNW/ - Vanessa McDonald joins NATIONAL Public Relations' Toronto office as Vice-President, Marketing Communications. Vanessa will use her international communications experience to lead the practice's top marketing professionals, building on the team's solid reputation for developing creative ideas and achieving superior results for clients.

"NATIONAL's clients will benefit greatly from Vanessa's global agency experience working with industries in Europe, South America and North America," said Catherine Cano, Managing Partner of the Toronto Office, NATIONAL Public Relations. "Vanessa's drive and talent for connecting clients with journalists, analysts and other key industry contacts will ensure NATIONAL continues to provide the best service in Canada when it comes to marketing and brand management."

Prior to joining NATIONAL, Vanessa established the London and San Francisco offices of Ballou PR, a Paris-based communications firm. The success of both offices drove their exponential growth in a short period of time. Vanessa also worked as the Associate Marketing Director and International Press Manager for Capgemini, one of the world's largest consulting firms. She developed marketing strategies and organized international press tours that contributed to the global branding of Capgemini.

The Marketing Communications Practice group at NATIONAL has driven brand equity and sales behind some of Canada's most successful and emerging brands. Embracing a wide scope of communications tools and creativity, the team has implemented award winning campaigns, promotions, events and superior media relations. Winning the 2011 CPRS ACE Silver Award for Best Media Relations Campaign, and the 2011 CMA Bronze Award for Consumer Services, among others, the Marketing Practice is a strong and reputable team with proven success stories.

About NATIONAL Public Relations
NATIONAL Public Relations is the largest public relations consultancy in Canada with offices in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Halifax, Saint John, New York and London. The Firm serves leading corporate, government and institutional clients and offers the full range of communications services, including corporate communications, investor relations, public affairs, employee engagement, public consultation and participation, marketing, technology and healthcare communications, as well as digital communications. It provides medical communications, public relations and clinical trial support services to a wide section of the leading pharmaceutical and medical devices companies internationally under the name AXON Communications. NATIONAL is a subsidiary of RES PUBLICA Consulting Group. At the international level, the Firm is affiliated with Burson-Marsteller, part of WPP Group, the largest communications company in the world.

Kristen King
NATIONAL Public Relations
[email protected]
416-848-1427