Hill+Knowlton Strategies global chairman and CEO Jack Martin last week was inducted into the International Communications Consultancy Organization’s Hall of Fame.

ICCO President Maxim Behar announced Martin’s induction during the Europe-based PR member group’s annual gala dinner, held at the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London.

Jack Martin Jack Martin

Martin was recognized for his “exceptional efforts to globalize the public relations business, and for his amazing combination of cultural sensitivity and commercial acumen to create a global network with specific local relevance.”

Martin was appointed global executive chairman of H+K after his Austin-based public affairs and communication consultancy, Public Strategies, merged with that WPP unit in 2010. A year later, he was named the firm’s global CEO. A former Democratic consultant, Martin previously served as executive assistant to Senator (and later Democratic party VP nomine) Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX), and later served as chairman of the Texas State University System Board as well as senior advisor to the Democratic National Committee and U.S. Senate Democratic Committee.

Martin’s recognition marks the first induction of a H+K senior leader into ICCO’s Hall of Fame. Omnicom Public Relations Group CEO Karen van Bergen and Omnicom Public Relations Group president, growth and development, international David Gallagher were also inducted to the Hall of Fame this year.

The ICCO Hall of Fame was established back in 2003 to honor professionals who have made exceptional contributions to the PR industry. Previous ICCO Hall of Fame inductees include Harold Burson, Daniel Edelman, Helen Ostrowski and Margery Kraus.