Edelman, the world’s largest independent public relations firm, announced today that Chris Komisarjevsky, former CEO of Burson-Marsteller, has joined Edelman as Strategic Advisor to President and CEO, Richard Edelman. In his role, Chris will act as pro tem chair of the firm’s global Corporate practice, support global clients and assist the firm’s leadership development programme.
Chris joins Edelman at the time when the firm is growing strongly, recording 18% growth for the year ending June ’08. Edelman has increased its revenues to $445M with 3,200 staff worldwide, doubling its size in the last four years. “Chris Komisarjevsky is one of the most accomplished counselors in our profession,” said Richard Edelman, president and CEO, Edelman. “We look to Chris to advise our clients, to develop our senior talent, strengthen our global Corporate practice and advance the quality of our C-suite interactions.”
“I am very excited to be working with Edelman. The firm is a thought-leader and industry giant throughout the world,” said Komisarjevsky. “Edelman’s ground-breaking studies and creative work across the range of communications disciplines both online and traditional media – along with its important focus on the importance of ‘trust’ in a challenging business environment – have set the pace for the industry. On a personal level, Richard and I have long known each other, competed often and I am very proud to have the opportunity to work closely with him and his talented teams around the world to help Edelman reach new heights.”
In 2005, Chris retired from his responsibilities as the worldwide president and chief executive officer of Burson-Marsteller, one of the world’s leading global public relations and public affairs firms. He served in that capacity for more than six years, while a member of the firm for ten years. Immediately following his retirement, he taught graduate students in “Managing Corporate Crises and Issues” at Boston University’s College of Communications, where he was appointed the Harold Burson Professor and Chair in Public Relations. He also served as a senior counselor with the global public affairs and communications firm of APCO Worldwide. Chris has been responsible for counseling global corporate clients in a range of industries, including financial services, entertainment, communications, health care and management consulting. A 1996 recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and a member of the David Rockefeller Fellow’s class of 1998, Chris currently serves on the boards of various non-profit organizations, a Department of Defense Advisory Board and is an Independent Trustee/Member of the Board of two mutual fund companies. He holds a master’s degree in business from the University of Connecticut, has undertaken graduate work in German literature and international affairs in the U.S. and Europe, and has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Union College. Chris lives in Atlantic Beach, NY, with his wife, Reina, and six of nine children.
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