Today we are announcing one of the more significant personnel changes in the communications industry. Jim Lake, who currently heads the U.S. Public Affairs practice for Burson-Marsteller, is joining our firm as partner and President. We are adding one of the most experienced and talented people on the market to our growing firm at a time we are looking to broaden awareness of the company as an elite boutique communications agency. At this moment in the business, we could not have made a better hire.

In the realm of public affairs, Jim has done it all. His current leadership dossier includes the international rollout of the newly designed U.S. currency for Burson mega client, Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Jim was also instrumental in signing the Abu Dhabi investment authority last year, which, for those who understand the rules of the road in doing business in the relationship-focused Middle East, speaks to his ability to connect with people. Jim’s also a great manager – running 10 offices and 100 staff – and will bring that expertise to our firm.

His arrival coincides with the widely reported trend today of corporate clients going from big to small in their PR consulting relationships. PR Week featured this trend recently.

Covenants between consultant and client in PR usually include a tenuous promise to offer counsel from senior staff, but this covenant is all too often broken by the bigger firms, the article suggests. By adding Jim to our team, we are endorsing the belief that clients can and should get experienced counsel. As a boutique, this is our value proposition.