NEW YORK: PR21 is trying out its third CEO in three years, hiring
Bob Hubbell from consulting giant Andersen Worldwide.
Hubbell takes over the reigns from Gus Weill, who quit after having been
in the job for less than a year. He plans to open his own shop.
Hubbell started the job last Monday, and faces the challenge of
strengthening an agency which, despite $18 million in revenue and
a strong roster of clients, is said to have an unclear proposition in
the marketplace.
Hubbell set up and ran Edelman PR Worldwide's financial relations
practice between 1988 and 1994, before becoming chief communications
officer with Andersen. He has maintained a relationship with Edelman CEO
Richard Edelman, who approached Hubbell about his new post.
Hubbell said, "It is an excellent business with financial, healthcare,
consumer, and technology practices. It is apparent to me that the
company has been hiding its light under a bushel."
Hubbell's first task will be to outline his vision to the 150
employees.
He wants to position the global boutique as a dynamic, fast-moving
company that places an emphasis on one-on-one client services.
PR21 was founded as a hi-tech shop with clients such as The Knot,
Apartments.com and flooz.com. It launched three years ago with Will
Sullivan at the helm, and later morphed into a smaller version of a
major agency with global offices.
Sullivan ran the agency for about two years before Weill took over last
November.
PR21's current clients include Oracle, Sepracor, Allied Domecq, and
Whirlpool.
