Weber Shandwick has unveiled three senior leadership appointments as Karen Pugliese prepares to assume the role of Chief Executive Officer on September 1, marking the latest step in the agency's leadership transition.The global communications firm has appointed Joy Farber Kolo as Chief Innovation & Integration Officer, Michael Wehman as US President, and Mike Rosich as President of Weber Shandwick, New York. Rosich will continue to serve as CEO of Current Global and dna alongside his expanded responsibilities.The appointments come as Weber Shandwick reshapes its leadership structure following the announcement earlier this year that long-serving CEO Gail Heimann will retire after nearly three decades with the agency. Pugliese, currently President and Chief Operating Officer of Weber Shandwick, was named as Heimann's successor and will officially take over the top role in September.Farber Kolo brings three decades of experience at Weber Shandwick to her new position. Having held several leadership roles across the organisation, including Chief Impact Officer, she will now oversee innovation and integration initiatives across the agency's global operations.Wehman, a 25-year Weber Shandwick veteran, most recently served as President of Client Experience & Operations for North America. In his new role as US President, he will lead the agency's US business units while also overseeing global operations, reflecting Weber Shandwick's emphasis on operational excellence and client delivery.Rosich will expand his remit after successfully leading dna Communications and overseeing its 2024 integration with Current Global. While continuing as CEO of both agencies, he will now take charge of Weber Shandwick New York, one of the firm's most significant markets.The leadership changes follow the departure of Jim O'Leary, Weber Shandwick's former North America CEO and Global President, who recently joined strategic advisory firm Penta as Chief Executive Officer. Together with Heimann's retirement, the moves represent one of the most significant leadership transitions in Weber Shandwick's recent history.The appointments also come amid broader changes across Omnicom Public Relations following Omnicom's acquisition of Interpublic Group. In recent months, the communications network has introduced a new regional leadership structure outside the United States and the United Kingdom, while streamlining governance across its portfolio of agencies.Earlier this year, Omnicom Public Relations announced plans to combine Golin and Ketchum, alongside integrating Porter Novelli into FleishmanHillard, signalling a wider effort to simplify operations and strengthen collaboration across its communications businesses.Commenting on the appointments, Pugliese said the three leaders bring complementary strengths spanning innovation, operations and client leadership. She noted that their deep institutional knowledge and operational expertise will play a critical role in shaping Weber Shandwick's next chapter.As the agency enters a new phase under Pugliese's leadership, the appointments underscore Weber Shandwick's focus on continuity, innovation and integration at a time of significant transformation across the global communications industry.

Weber Shandwick is making significant changes to its North American leadership team. Michael Wehman, previously president of New York, has been appointed president of client experience & operations. To fill Wehman's role, Jamie Dowd will take on the position of president of New York.In his new role, Wehman will spearhead growth initiatives for Weber Shandwick's extensive client base. He will also oversee integrated media and operational functions across North America, including client operations and resource management.Dowd will now lead the firm's largest office, located in New York City, which houses approximately 500 employees. In addition to his new responsibilities, he will continue to oversee the region's healthcare clients as president of health for the Americas.Jim O'Leary, who became North America CEO in 2023, stated that these leadership changes are a result of the company's significant growth over the past year. He emphasized the importance of maintaining exceptional client service and has been restructuring North America's leadership teams to achieve this goal. ?Ç£Michael and Jamie have been critical to our dramatically accelerated growth in North America. I?ÇÖm excited to see both of them continue to thrive in their elevated roles,?Ç¥ said Jim O?ÇÖLeary.