The former communications lead for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Julie Vallese, has joined Burson-Marsteller as Managing Director of the agency's newly formed Product Integrity Practice.

Vallese's previous work includes more than 15 years at CNN, including the position of consumer correspondent. According to the release, "The Product Integrity Practice will be part of B-M's Washington-based Issues and Crisis Group (ICG), led by Global Executive Vice President Josh Gottheimer. The new practice will focus on helping clients develop strategies for product-related crisis planning and management, successful stakeholder engagement and regulatory communications."

B-M is not the only agency bullish on public affairs and government related work. Michael Kehs, head of public affairs at WPP's Hill & Knowlton, recently told Advertising Age, "The whole economy is on the plate here in Washington and people are going to want their seat at the table."