NEW YORK: Weber Shandwick has hired Brian Offutt as chief workforce innovation and operations officer.
Offutt starts in the newly created position on Thursday, reporting to Weber Shandwick president and CEO Gail Heimann. He will be responsible for evolving the firm's workplace and workforce, focusing on preparing the agency for a hybrid work environment and ensuring inclusivity and equity.
"It became clear to us during the coronavirus pandemic that we needed to approach innovation with the same rigor and vigor that we approach our client work," said Heimann. "We recognize that talent is the soul of the firm, and building our workforce in a hybrid situation with inclusion is critical to our continued leadership in the industry and beyond."
In his role, Offutt will work closely with agency leadership, including Abby Gold, Weber Shandwick’s chief employee experience officer, and Judith Harrison, SVP of diversity and inclusion, to elevate current and future talent.
"It's my top priority to make sure the best people in the industry are empowered to do their jobs in the best possible way," Offutt said. "Along with [Heimann] and her team, we will provide a road map for others in the industry."
Before joining Weber Shandwick, Offutt was COO for Combs Enterprises, overseeing operations across Sean "Diddy" Combs' brands.
Offutt spent eight years as a senior operations executive for Viacom's Nickelodeon Group, where he implemented workforce improvements across the company's consumer products, productions, creative, digital and marketing and communications divisions.
He is also the chair of the board of directors at Project Healthy Minds, a New York City-based nonprofit focused on tackling America's mental health crisis.
Weber Shandwick's revenue rose 3% in 2019 to $869 million, according to PRWeek's Agency Business Report. The agency is part of Interpublic Group's Constituency Management Group.
