CEO STOCKMAN OUT AT PORTER NOVELLI
Porter Novelli CEO Gary Stockman is leaving the firm after four years at the helm of the Omnicom unit.
Stockman, who is staying on through late July, took the reins in January 2008 from Helen Ostrowski after he joined the firm with its acquisition of Copithorne and Bellows in 2000.
“For more than a decade I've been committed to the transformation Porter Novelli leads for our clients every
day. After nearly five years as CEO, it’s time for a new experience,” Stockman said in a statement.
He follows the exit of chief marketing officer Michael Goldberg this month after a brief stint.
Julie Winskie, president of PN who oversaw a retrenchment of the agency’s operations in late 2008, stepped down in April. Ostrowski is now a senior advisor at APCO Worldwide.
Senior partner Michael Ramah, a 25-year PN veteran, will work with the departing CEO during a transition and assume the duties of acting CEO on Stockman’s departure, PN said. Anthony Viceroy is president and CFO and PN has eight senior partners.
Dale Adams, CEO of OMC’s Diversified Agency Services, which houses PN, said: “The Porter Novelli history and its future make it a valued member of the Omnicom family and we will fully support the leadership transition and appointment of a new chief executive officer.”
UMASS WANTS A PR EDUCATION
The Univ. of Massachusetts system wants to hear from PR firms in a bid to shape public perceptions of its educational and research accomplishments.
The Amherst-based institution, which also includes campuses in Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell and Worcester, released an RFP on June 12 to develop a PR strategy and plan for the system, prepare and handle media communications, pitch story ideas and support campus comms. operations, among other tasks.
Over the objections of Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, UMass’ trustees on June 6 approved a 4.9 percent tuition increase this fall.
Enrollment headcount system-wide in fall of 2010 topped 68,000 with more than 17,600 employees, and the system's R&D budget surpassed $542M that year. Its Dartmouth-based law school earned national accreditation this month after an eight-year push.
John Kennedy, a former ACLU PR hand, was named vice chancellor of university relations in late 2010.
Finalists will be asked to present in Boston in late July. Proposals are due July 9. RFP: http://bit.ly/PJTTK5. |
