Frankfurt, 02 July 2012 – Edelman, the world`s largest public relations firm, today announced the appointment of Susanne Marell as CEO of Edelman Germany, the second largest country in the firm’s EMEA region.
Marell, VP Corporate Brand Management at BASF Ludwigshafen until June 30, will succeed Cornelia Kunze, who will be taking up her new post as vice chairman, Edelman Asia Pacific, on the 1 October 2012 in Mumbai. Marell will report to Robert Phillips, president and CEO, Edelman EMEA, and will become a member of the EMEA Executive Committee.
Marell’s corporate experience with German multinational companies will add to the agency‘s strategic objective of making Germany one of the key hubs in the Edelman global network. Edelman’s five German offices- Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich- have doubled their revenue in the last five years. With the increasing role of digital, the strength of the firm‘s consumer, health and technology practices, and bigger investment in corporate and public affairs- as reflected in the recent hire of Alexander Fink as managing director of the Corporate practice, Edelman envisages a similar growth in the coming years under the leadership of Marell.
“Susanne demonstrated a great mix of thought and determination, leadership and vision, insight and pragmatism,” said Phillips. “We are delighted that Susanne has agreed to join Edelman.”
Marell boasts an extensive career in communications and marketing within the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, and also as a consultant in the PR industry. She started her career at Kohtes Klewes (now Ketchum Pleon), and previously worked at Schering, Hoechst, AgrEvo and Cognis before being promoted to her position at BASF after the acquisition of Cognis. Marell’s experience includes working on assignments focused on corporate communications, including M&A’s, employee engagement, corporate branding and organizational change processes. She is also an acknowledged management expert for sustainability projects.
“After my very first discussions with Cornelia, Robert and Richard Edelman, it was clear that the further development of Edelman`s proven success story would be a thrilling and challenging task,” said Marell. “I´m looking forward to working with all of my colleagues and clients in Germany and continuing to strengthen our position as a thought leader in communications.”