Edelman, the global communications firm, today announced that Jon Hughes will take on the role of Chief Operating Officer, EMEA, under the new leadership of AJ Hesselink, CEO, EMEA, effective from July 1. Christiane Schulz who is currently CEO, Edelman Germany will also take on the expanded role of Regional Client Leader.
In their new roles, Jon will be responsible for continuing to deepen integration and collaboration across the region and bringing Edelman’s international strategy focused on diversifying Edelman’s global revenue mix to life. He will focus on continuing to drive operational excellence and integrate the wide range of capabilities, expertise, and specialisms across EMEA’s teams and markets.
As Regional Client Leader, Christiane will assume overall stewardship of Edelman’s regional client portfolio, focusing on collaboration across EMEA and growth within the portfolio. She will partner closely with markets, sectors, and specialisms to drive growth across Edelman’s integrated client bench. Christiane will also continue in her role as CEO, Edelman Germany.
Jon joined Edelman over two years ago, as a senior client advisor to work with a number of Edelman’s key clients. He has successfully led a number of the region’s largest new business pitches during that period, and has worked as part of Edelman Delta, Edelman’s specialist brand and strategy arm. A communications industry veteran, Jon has spent several decades in agencies in various capacities, lastly as CEO of Golin’s international cluster where he was responsible for both the EMEA and Asia business. He has also worked at Weber Shandwick and Ketchum.
Christiane took on the role of CEO, Edelman Germany in 2019 and during that time has reimagined, repositioned and reignited Edelman’s business in Germany. She has built a strong leadership bench that has deepened the expertise and specialisms particularly across health, strategy and creative. Alongside delivering sustainable, profitable growth, she has added a number of large DAX listed and German Innovation Growth Leaders to Edelman’s roster and has also grown several large German clients into international clients, like Allianz. Before joining Edelman, Christiane was CEO of Weber Shandwick Germany, and has held senior roles at Ketchum.
AJ Hesselink, President & CEO, EMEA said: These appointments are an excellent build on our highly successful, strong bench of market, sector and specialty leaders across the region. Jon brings decades of operational agency experience and alongside his empathetic leadership style, he is brilliantly equipped to drive transformation across the region. Christiane’s ability to grow clients at an international scale, perfectly places her to unlock the next level in our client portfolio. Our clients across EMEA, as well as our teams, will benefit from her inclusive, constructive and innovative approach to integration.”
“I can’t think of a time when our clients, and industry, faced so much exciting new technology on the one hand, yet so much disruption and uncertainty on the other,” explains Jon Hughes, Chief Operating Officer, EMEA. “Building on the great work already done, my focus is to ensure we take advantage of these new technologies to more quickly and easily deploy our deep bench of talent, technology and specialist capabilities to help our teams and clients navigate these challenges and, as a result, strengthen our position as the world’s preeminent communications advisory firm.”
“Our strategy as Edelman is built on a clear focus on client centricity. I am looking forward to supporting our teams to help our clients drive action that earns trust.” says Christiane Schulz. “My goal is to work with our teams to deliver outstanding client service in a seamless way across all markets, bringing to bear all of Edelman’s specialisms to help our clients solve their most pressing business challenges.”
