Burson taps Toiv for DC shop boost

WASHINGTON, DC: Burson-Marsteller added further public affairs

muscle last week by hiring former White House deputy press secretary

Barry Toiv.

Toiv, who will assume the newly created post of managing director in the

firm’s Washington office next month, becomes the latest in a string of

DC insiders to accept a post with Burson over the last few years. The

agency is banking on Toiv’s understanding of complex economic and

budgetary issues to further cement its position as one of DC’s leading

lobby shops.

Though Toiv declined to discuss other opportunities he considered,

Burson US public affairs chair Cynthia Hudson quipped, ’I think it’s

safe to assume that Barry was highly sought-after.’

Toiv is the latest in a parade of pros who have jumped the

public/private sector fence into Burson’s backyard. Others include Amy

Weiss, former deputy secretary to the president; former Department of

Justice staffer Julie Anbender; and Richard Mintz, formerly with the

Department of Transportation.

This article was first published on PR Week USA