Weber Shandwick, a leading global communications firm, has announced key appointments to strengthen its corporate affairs leadership team in North America. Will Crain has been appointed as the head of CEO communications advisory, while Contessa Kellogg-Winters has been promoted to head of executive visibility.
In his new role, effective from March, Will Crain will focus on enhancing the firm’s communications advisory services tailored to the modern CEO agenda. With extensive experience advising brand CEOs, Crain is poised to assist C-suite executives in navigating complex business landscapes, cultural shifts, and geopolitical challenges. His appointment underscores Weber Shandwick’s commitment to providing strategic counsel to senior leaders facing heightened scrutiny and evolving leadership priorities.
Contessa Kellogg-Winters, who has been instrumental in driving client experience initiatives since joining Weber Shandwick in 2022, will now lead executive visibility and leadership positioning programs for C-suite leaders across the agency’s diverse client portfolio. Kellogg-Winters’ promotion reflects her proven track record in cultivating impactful relationships with executives and her dedication to fostering authentic leadership narratives in the public sphere.
Both Crain and Kellogg-Winters will collaborate closely with Peter Carson, head of corporate affairs for North America, and other leaders to leverage Weber Shandwick’s comprehensive suite of corporate affairs and consulting capabilities. This includes leveraging analytics, corporate reputation management, public affairs, crisis management, and sustainability initiatives through The Weber Shandwick Collective.
Commenting on the appointments, Jim O’Leary, CEO of Weber Shandwick North America, emphasised the increasing demand for C-suite advisory services in today’s dynamic business environment. He highlighted geopolitical risk, economic uncertainty, and technology-driven transformations as key concerns for leaders, underscoring the importance of strategic counsel in navigating these challenges.
Looking ahead, Crain and Kellogg-Winters expressed their commitment to driving impactful change and helping executives establish and maintain their reputations in the public arena. As Weber Shandwick continues to expand its influence and capabilities, these appointments signal a renewed focus on providing tailored solutions to meet the evolving needs of C-suite leaders in a rapidly changing world.
