Cohn & Wolfe Group names Cathy Pittham Chief Executive Officer of AxiCom
Industry leader to foster global expansion of leading technology agency LONDON — Cohn & Wolfe Group has appointed Cathy Pittham as Chief Executive Officer of European technology agency AxiCom, which it acquired in 2008. Pittham’s appointment signals a major global expansion drive for Cohn & Wolfe’s technology business which will include deepening AxiCom’s market-leading position through geographic expansion and new practice areas. Pittham will report to Cohn & Wolfe’s global CEO Donna Imperato. Pittham takes over the role from AxiCom co-founder Helen Ridgway who is stepping down to take a career break after 22 years with the agency. Ridgway has been closely involved in the selection process for a successor and will be staying within the business until the end of September to ensure a smooth transition. Ridgway has been instrumental in driving the agency’s growth and success, along with co-founder Julian Tanner. Tanner continues in his current role as Global Technology Leader for Cohn & Wolfe Group and will partner with Pittham to further develop and expand the group’s technology practice across the globe. “AxiCom is widely recognized as an exceptional agency, employing world-class talent and with an enviable client list, which is a testament to the strength of its leadership across all markets,” said Donna Imperato, CEO, Cohn & Wolfe Group. “I am delighted to have someone of Cathy’s calibre lead AxiCom; her entrepreneurial mind-set and strong leadership capabilities will help build the agency into a global technology powerhouse.” Pittham brings 25 years’ experience in technology PR comprising corporate, B2B and B2C work across international markets, including the US, Europe and Asia. Most recently she was MD at Racepoint Global Europe for six years and has previously held senior positions at Text 100, Weber Shandwick and Grayling. Pittham brings proven skills in business development, strategic counsel and team leadership to the task. Her client experience spans large multinationals, mid-sized enterprise and start-ups, and includes ARM Holdings, BT, Cellnet, eBay, Hitachi, HP, Huawei, Intelligent Energy, Oracle and Sony to name a few. Beyond her deep specialism in technology Pittham’s experience has included corporate work in the consumer, energy, engineering, financial services, and healthcare sectors. Commenting on her new role, Pittham said: “I am excited to be taking the helm at AxiCom, with its deep heritage and reputation as a technology communications leader and its amazing list of A-list client partners. I am looking forward to working with AxiCom’s teams in the UK and across Europe to drive continued growth by expanding the agency’s capabilities to capitalize on emerging client needs and by creating a differentiated brand in the marketplace. I am also eager to add my expertise at a regional and global level to support the expansion of Cohn & Wolfe Group’s technology offering.” Speaking of her decision Helen Ridgway said: “It has been a tough decision to leave the agency I helped to found and grow across Europe and I’d like to take the opportunity to thank all my colleagues, and in particular Julian, for their inspiration, support and unfailing enthusiasm for the technology industry over the last 22 years. Since AxiCom’s acquisition by Cohn & Wolfe, Donna has provided us with the perfect combination of leadership and independence to continue to grow and we are on track for a record year in 2016. There is more expansion ahead and I am delighted to be handing over to Cathy who has exceptional experience and knowledge in the sector. The agency is in safe hands.” About AxiCom Founded in London in 1994 AxiCom has seven offices across the major technology business centres in Europe: London, Paris, Munich, Milan, Madrid, Amsterdam and Stockholm. The agency specializes in the technology sector, encompassing enterprise computing, telecommunications, consumer technology, media technology, and energy. The firm provides strategic communications support including media and analyst relations, digital and social, and content generation to many of the world’s premier technology companies including Dell, Red Hat, Lexmark, IFS, LG, Hortonworks, Juniper Networks, Belkin, Freesat, ZTE and Alevo. Since 2008 the agency has been part of global communications firm Cohn & Wolfe. About Cohn & Wolfe Cohn & Wolfe, a global communications agency, builds brands and corporate reputations through an uncompromising commitment to creativity. The agency’s strategic approach unearths fresh, relevant insights leading to communications solutions that deliver measurable business success. Throughout its 45-year history, Cohn & Wolfe’s brand marketing work and world-class digital media campaigns have attracted top brands around the world, winning awards at the Cannes Health Lions, the Global SABREs and the Global PRWeek Awards. Headquartered in New York, Cohn & Wolfe has more than 50 offices across Asia, EMEA, Latin America and North America, and has been named a Best Place to Work by The Holmes Report, PRWeek and PRNews. Cohn & Wolfe is part of WPP (Nasdaq: WPPGY), the world's largest communications services group. Contact Jill Tannenbaum, Chief Marketing Officer Cohn & Wolfe +1 212.798.9871 Jill.tannenbaum@cohnwolfe.com