NEW YORK: Hill+Knowlton Strategies Americas president and CEO Michael Coates will retire from the firm next year.
Until then, Coates is stepping into the role of global vice chairman, focusing on strategic clients and H+K’s new business growth in Canada. He has worked at the firm for 33 years.
Goldy Hyder, Claudia Gioia, and Beth Balsam, CEOs of Canada, Latin America, and the U.S., respectively, are reporting directly to Jack Martin, global chairman and CEO, effective immediately.
Coates was not immediately available for comment.
Balsam explained in a statement that the firm’s U.S. region will move forward with Coates’ business plan of diversification and putting its staffers at the forefront of the business.
As Americas president and CEO, Coates directed a process of diversification and investment in digital, content, and data at H+K. He also pushed forward the expansion of Group SJR in the U.S. and Canada and spearheaded the acquisition of Ideal Hill+Knowlton in Brazil.
Additionally, Coates led the rollout of H+K Inside and H+K Outside, which included maternity and paternity leave policies.
Coates was upped to Americas president and CEO in summer 2014 after serving as chairman and CEO of H+K Canada starting in 1995 and holding other executive roles at the firm. He succeeded Andy Weitz, who had the title of U.S. president and CEO, amid a greater realignment.
