Weber Shandwick has planted flags in Turkey and Kuwait after relying on affiliates and regional outposts in those countries for years.

The Interpublic firm hired Seda Yalcin from Grayling to lead its Turkey operation as CEO. She led Grayling's public affairs practice and headed business development for the firm's Turkey operation in Istanbul. Previous stints included the European Commission and PA shop Interel  in Brussels.

Strateji Tanitim was recently WS' Turkey affiliate.

Kuwait is WS' fifth Mideast office and is led by GM Rosie Muhanna.

Colin Byrne heads the firm's EMEA operations, which also include Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Egypt.