Former MS&L CEO Named President, Edelman China

Edelman has hired former MS&L Worldwide CEO Mark Hass to run the agency’s presence in China. Hass most recently was founding Partner and CEO of MH Group Communications, which will be acquired by Edelman as part of the deal.

Hass told PRNewser today that all MH Group Communications employees and clients, including United Airlines and Hess Oil, will make the move to Edelman as part of the deal. “China is a fascinating place,” he said, citing the “unique opportunity to live abroad, be in a really entertaining and interesting environment, and work for arguably the best PR firm in world,” as reasons he made the move.

Several MS&L executives will also join Edelman in China, including Shirley Wong Walker, who will oversee the healthcare practice and James Cook who will lead technology. Hass said he did not personally recruit these executives and that the MS&L connection is “purely accidental.”

That being said, Hass is thinking big when it comes to Edelman’s potential in China. “I’m going in with the intention of turning the agency into the market’s largest player and best regarded player,” he said.

Hass joined MS&L Worldwide in 2002 and was named CEO in 2005. He stepped down from the CEO post this past April. At Edelman he will report to will report to Asia-Pacific president Alan VanderMolen.

RELATED: PR News Editor Courtney Barnes Leaving to Join MH Group Communications

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