CHICAGO: After nearly 10 months without a Chicago GM, Porter Novelli has promoted from within to fill the spot.
Linda Hadley, a 15-year PN veteran, had been deputy GM in Chicago. She has also served as national director of strategic planning and research for the agency. "One of the things we liked about her is her tenure with us," said Gary Stockman, CEO of the Americas for PN. "She brings a really interesting skill set to the position."
Jim Heininger, the former GM in Chicago, left in February. He'd presided over the agency's purchase of a local tech shop at the height of the boom in 2000.
The agency's Chicago office was hit hard by the business downturn in 2001. Revenues for the office dropped from $10 million in 2000 to $6.2 million last year, a 39% decline, according to Council of PR Firms data.
While the agency reported 46 Chicago employees in 2001, it has only 22 presently. PN had the ninth-largest PR operation in Chicago last year.
However, business in Chicago has been on the upswing, Stockman said.
The office recently won the Roche Diagnostics diabetes care unit account.
PN's Chicago healthcare group should realize income of about $1 million this year.
