NEW YORK: Burson-Marsteller has recruited ex-Shandwick big-hitter Dermot McNulty to build global business.
McNulty, who was CEO of the $200 million Shandwick International, has joined BM as vice chairman to head the agency's global development.
He was recruited by BM Worldwide CEO Chris Komisarjevsky, who last week announced that he had recruited Hill & Knowlton's top man in Asia, Clif Kagawa.
'I placed both calls myself,' said Komisarjevsky. 'This was no job for a headhunter. These are two of the top professionals in the business.
'Their joining us is part of a bigger picture,' he added. 'It is part of the opportunity to build our global business. When major companies are looking for representation, we can offer them the best.'
Clients who use BM's global services already account for as much as 40% of the agency's fee income at the moment, according to Komisarjevsky.
But he said BM is expecting the global business to grow in the next few years. 'It is far from a mature market. We believe clients will be demanding global representation.'
McNulty, who is a native of Ireland, spent 15 years at BM, starting in Chicago, and then moving around the globe. He joined Shandwick 10 years ago, where he served in various leadership roles in North America, Europe and Asia, before his ascension to CEO.
