Former BCW West Coast Public Affairs Lead Joins Firm’s Sacramento Office as Managing Director
Sacramento, CA – Leading global bipartisan public strategy firm Mercury Public Affairs announced the addition of veteran public and government affairs strategist and crisis counselor Steve Burns to the firm’s Sacramento office as a managing director. Burns brings more than two decades of experience working in Fortune 10 companies and advising companies and non-profit organizations on reputation management, regulatory issues and legislative affairs.
“We’re pleased to welcome Steve Burns and his tremendous experience to our dynamic California team,” said Fabian Núñez, Mercury Partner and former Speaker of the California State Assembly. “Steve is well known in Sacramento as a leader in the business community, and he brings invaluable insights and public affairs and crisis experience that will undoubtedly be a great asset to our clients.”
During his time at BCW (formerly Burson-Marsteller), Burns managed public affairs and corporate crises accounts. He worked with a number of companies on a range of public affairs, policy and communications issues, including government engagements, brand protection and stakeholder outreach.
“Companies across the country trust Mercury to represent them in some of the highest-profile, highest-stakes battles, and I am excited to join a team of experts that is widely considered to be the best in the business,” said Burns.
Prior to his time at BCW, Burns worked at Chevron Corporation for 12 years in roles ranging from the company’s first corporate social responsibility and sustainability lead, to primary adviser to the CEO; he also led the company’s community engagement and corporate policy groups. He also managed the California state government affairs office in Sacramento for nearly six years and was named to the “Top 100 Political Power Brokers” list in California three times.
Burns also has nearly a decade of experience with non-governmental organizations, working for the San Francisco-based Asia Foundation as its Trade and Economics Program Officer, and then co-founding and leading the international energy task force of the 22-nation Pacific Economic Cooperation Council.
About Mercury
Mercury is a high-stakes, bipartisan public strategy firm. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services that includes federal government relations, international affairs, digital influence, public opinion research, media strategy and a bipartisan grassroots mobilization network in all 50 states. Our firm is not just led by top talent — we distinguish ourselves by having senior talent deeply engaged in each project from start to finish, a promise we keep to clients. The firm has an established global presence, with U.S. offices in Washington, DC, New York, California, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Tennessee, as well as international offices in London and Mexico City. Mercury is a part of the Omnicom Public Relations Group.
About Omnicom Public Relations Group
Omnicom Public Relations Group is a global collective of three of the top global public relations agencies worldwide and specialist agencies in areas including public affairs, marketing to women, fashion, public health and corporate social responsibility. It encompasses more than 6,000 public relations professionals in more than 330 offices worldwide who provide their expertise to companies, government agencies, NGOs and nonprofits across a wide range of industries. Omnicom Public Relations Group delivers for clients through a relentless focus on talent, continuous pursuit of innovation and a culture steeped in collaboration. Omnicom Public Relations Group is part of the DAS Group of Companies, a division of Omnicom Group Inc. that includes more than 200 companies in a wide range of marketing disciplines including advertising, public relations, healthcare, customer relationship management, events, promotional marketing, branding and research.
Contact:
Micah Grant
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