NEW YORK, July 16, 2010 – Today Burson-Marsteller announced that Erin Garvey, an aide to San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom with White House and national campaign experience, will join its Issues and Crisis Group as a manager in San Francisco.
“Erin Garvey is a talented communicator with extensive experience in national campaigns, technology, and California politics and government,” said Jano Cabrera, practice chair of Burson-Marsteller’s Issues and Crisis Group. “Erin’s expertise in new media, media relations, and crisis management will strengthen our growing presence on the West Coast.”
Garvey, an attorney, currently serves as chief deputy communications director to Newsom, where she has served as a media-relations strategist, speechwriter, and spokesperson. During her three years of service to the mayor, she helped the administration develop a strong new media and social media operation. She also helped lead crisis communications efforts during the Olympic torch relay, a fatal tiger attack at the zoo, and two oil spills on San Francisco Bay.
“Erin Garvey is a topnotch communications strategist with an impressive background in political advocacy,” said Nathan Ballard, managing director in Burson-Marsteller’s San Francisco office, who worked with Garvey in the Newsom administration. “We are delighted that she is joining our team.”
Garvey was previously the executive director of Californians for Technology and Video Choice, where she led communications and legislative strategy for a statewide campaign to improve fiber optics networks. She has served as a White House intern, worked on the advance staff of President Bill Clinton and Vice-President Al Gore, and served as advance lead on Senator John Kerry’s presidential campaign. She has also served as press secretary and deputy policy director to California Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante.
Garvey received a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis and a law degree from the University of San Francisco. She will report to Ballard and begin her job on August 1st.
About Burson-Marsteller
Burson-Marsteller (www.burson-marsteller.com), established in 1953, is a leading global public relations and communications firm. It provides clients with strategic thinking and program execution across a full range of public relations, public affairs, advertising and web-related services. The firm’s seamless worldwide network consists of 68 offices and 71 affiliate offices, together operating in 98 countries across six continents. Burson-Marsteller is a part of Young & Rubicam Brands, a subsidiary of WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY), one of the world’s leading communications services networks.