Public Relations Global Network Elects Ed Stevens, APR+M

South African-based Evelyn Holtzhausen Named President-Elect

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – The Public Relations Global Network (PRGN), one of the top four international networks of leading independent public relations agencies, today announced the election of Edward M. Stevens, APR+M of Stevens Strategic Communications of Cleveland, Ohio, as president. Stevens will lead the worldwide network of 45 independently owned public relations agencies on six continents. He takes over the helm from Uwe Schmidt of Hamburg, Germany-based PR firm Industrie-Contact.

“I am extremely honored to lead this world-class communications network. We are at the leading edge of everything public relations,” said Stevens. “At a time when global communications is not only desired, but essential, the ability to share information and resources across global markets is an enormous advantage for clients. With an extraordinary leadership team in place, PRGN will start a new campaign underscoring the network’s exceptional resources to deliver powerful programs in healthcare, technology, tourism, education, food/agriculture, professional services and financial services.”

Stevens is a founding member of PRGN, formerly known as the Phoenix Network. As chairman and CEO at Stevens Strategic Communications, he specializes in strategic planning, interactive marketing, corporate communications and crisis communications. Established in 1976, the agency is comprised of motivated, results-driven and multidisciplinary staff, which serves the needs of large and small businesses, organizations and associations seeking to grow in the United States and around the world. Stevens has coordinated several global programs and has implemented international strategies in Europe, Australia, South Africa, Japan, China and South America. Active in the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Stevens currently serves as president of the PRSA Northwestern Pennsylvania Chapter and is a member of the PRSA Health Academy Executive Committee.

PRGN also named Evelyn Holtzhausen, CEO for Capetown, South Africa-based HWB Communications as president-elect. Holtzhausen specializes in high-level counsel, media relations, strategic planning and crisis management. He serves on the PRGN Executive Committee and co-chairs the business committee.

Finally, David Fuscus, president and CEO for Washington DC-based Xenophon Strategies, Inc. was confirmed as PRGN secretary, while Joe Ledlie, CEO of the Atlanta-based Ledlie Group, will serve as treasurer.

About Public Relations Global Network

Clients across six continents depend on the combined resources of the Public Relations Global Network (PRGN) to deliver targeted public relations campaigns in markets around the world. With revenues of more than $110 million (U.S.D.), PRGN is one of the world’s largest international public relations networks. PRGN harnesses the resources of 45 independent public relations firms and more than 800 communications professional to connect international companies and organizations with individual and culturally diverse markets globally. Visit PRGN online at www.prgn.com or on twitter at @PRGN.