June 21, 2012

Worldcom Public Relations Group Launches Search for a New Managing Director

The Worldcom Public Relations Group (www.worldcomgroup.com/) announced the start of its search for a new Managing Director to lead the organization starting in 2013. Current Worldcom COO, Daisy Guthin, who has led the organization for the last 17 consecutive years, has announced her planned retirement for 2013.

A selection committee of Worldcom Partners, led by Hal Dash of Cerrell Associates, Los Angeles, is conducting a worldwide search over the next few months to select a Managing Director before the end of 2012. "We expect a smooth transition as we move into our next generation of leadership with both the retiring and new leaders working side-by-side for several months in 2013," Dash said.

Corinna Voss, the newly elected Chair of the Group Board which governs the global organization, said, "Worldcom's Board of Directors, together with a Next-Generation committee, has consulted with our Partner firms to redefine the leadership role. Plans are to add a full-time communications/administrative position, restructure marketing and finance and re-tool partner recruitment strategies." She added, "These refinements have strengthened the Partnership and created a new business model for a more successful future."

Guthin announced her impending retirement to the board two years ago, in order to give the Partnership ample time to plan and hire a successor.

"Serving this global organization, comprised of some of the world's most talented and successful independent public relations professionals, has been a dream job," Guthin says. "It has been exhilarating to work and be in touch with firms located across the globe on a daily basis. It has also been a privilege to meet the individual culture-centric needs of our 108 Partner firms, and to gain a wider understanding of the vast differences, as well as similarities, that exist amongst people and the PR profession worldwide. This position is especially suited to those who have an international soul, coupled with the business acumen to lead this vibrant global organization."

Qualified applicants may apply for the position through the Worldcom Public Relations Group website.