SYDNEY: Flush with success from the 'best ever' Olympic Games, Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates has joined Burson-Marsteller's Australian operations as what the firm calls 'non-executive chairman.'
SYDNEY: Flush with success from the 'best ever' Olympic Games, Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates has joined Burson-Marsteller's Australian operations as what the firm calls 'non-executive chairman.'
Burson Asia-Pacific CEO Bill Rylance said Coates will be involved in business development and client counsel, though not necessarily involving sports.
'He's a very hands-on kind of person, who wants to get involved in the business,' Rylance said.
Coates, 50, is a partner in a Sydney law firm and chairman or director of several Australia- and Southeast Asia-based companies. He will remain AOC president and, according to his office there, plans to run for another four-year term next May.
Rylance said Coates agreed before the Olympics to join Burson, but didn't sign a contract until the Games ended. Coates won't be involved in Olympics-related issues at Burson.
Burson has about 60 Australia employees in offices in Sydney and Melbourne, with estimated 2000 revenues of about dollars 9 million.
Coates was a strategist with the Sydney 2000 Bid Committee and previously worked with bid committees in Brisbane in 1992 and Melbourne in 1996.
A former competitive rower, he's held administrative posts with every Australian Olympic team since 1976.
