Corporate Communications Veteran John Blyth Joins Fleishman-Hillard

St. Louis-based Fleishman-Hillard International Communications announced that longtime McDonald's Corp. communications executive John Blyth has joined the firm as a senior vice president and partner.

Blyth, who joined McDonald's in 1981, has served since 2005 as the company's corporate vice president of corporate communications, leading a global team of 80 communications professionals representing executive communications, internal communications, global Web communications, meetings and events, and creative services. He also was a member of McDonald's Worldwide Corporate Relations Council and Global Communications Council, both of which set policies for the company's corporate responsibility efforts, issues management and brand-building activities worldwide.

In his new position, Blyth will be based in Fleishman-Hillard's Dallas office, where his primary role will be to provide senior client counsel and oversee strategic initiatives for the agency's top clients.

"At a time when our clients' communications are more integrated and global than ever, it's a real pleasure to welcome John Blyth to our agency team," said Dave Senay, the firm's president and chief executive officer. "His experience spans 35 years and, in the course of helping to manage the McDonald's brand across 170 countries, his duties have included an integrated mix of everything from crisis communications to sponsorships to strategic marketing assignments. John brings with him a wealth of experience in managing one of the most respected global brands. It will be a tremendous asset to draw on that experience to further strengthen our work for our major clients around the world."

"After so many years with a company built on providing consistently high quality and value to customers, I feel fortunate indeed to join another global player that has quality service and client value so much at the heart of its reputation," said Blyth. "Add to that Fleishman-Hillard's strong culture of teamwork, its commitment to developing the full potential of its people and the chance to work with industry-leading clients, and this was simply too good an opportunity to pass up. I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead."