SAN FRANCISCO –  MS&L, one of the world's leading communications firms, today announced the appointment of Joe Carberry as Western regional president.  Carberry’s appointment is effective May 18, 2009.

In this newly created role, Carberry will be responsible for developing and executing a unified business strategy for the Western region, which includes offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles. In addition to overseeing both offices, Carberry will be focused on providing client counsel, driving new business, innovation, staff development and identifying potential acquisitions. He will also serve as a key member of the firm’s growing global public affairs practice and play a leadership role on the agency’s North American management team. Carberry will report directly to Jim Tsokanos, MS&L president of North America.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have Joe join Managing Directors Vickie Fite in Los Angeles and Bill Orr in San Francisco as Western regional president,” said Jim Tsokanos, MS&L’s president of North America. “Just as the region is diverse and rich in both industry and geography, so is Joe’s experience. He will complement our existing business in healthcare, technology, web 2.0 and consumer, while bringing a new perspective in public affairs, corporate, crisis, issues management and digital communications.”

Since 2007, Carberry has been the head of global public affairs for Visa Inc., where he was responsible for leading public affairs and corporate reputation initiatives. There, Carberry lead proactive efforts to build Visa’s corporate reputation, including media relations, digital media, grassroots campaigns, executive visibility and corporate image advertising. He also lead all communications activities related to global and corporate issues, including risk management, consumer and client issues, litigation and public policy. 

Prior to joining Visa, Carberry worked at Fleishman-Hillard where he counseled various companies in the technology, financial services and entertainment industries. Prior to Fleishman-Hillard, he served as deputy press secretary to Mayor Susan Golding of San Diego. Before that, he managed public affairs and community relations programs at Stoorza, Ziegaus & Metzger, San Diego’s largest public relations firm at that time. He also worked on the campaign staff for California Gov. Pete Wilson.

“MS&L was simply a great fit for me.  The agency has a reputation for its talented and innovative people, and they bring a level of strategic thinking into the equation that can help clients really transform their business,” said Carberry.  “I am eager to continue building the MS&L brand in the west and working with the team here to create new opportunities – for both clients and staff.

Carberry is the latest addition to MS&L’s North American management team. In 2008, the firm hired Joel Curran as managing director for the Midwest and Neil Dhillon as managing director of the firm’s growing Washington, D.C. office. The firm also recently promoted Renee Wilson to managing director of MS&L’s New York flagship office, from deputy managing director.

About MS&L

MS&L is a leading global communications firm and part of MS&L Worldwide, a network of communications brands and consultancies with 54 offices in North America, Latin America, EMEA and Asia, as well as an extensive affiliate network. The agency specializes in using research, insights and technology to create and execute powerful communications strategies that are critical to client success. With a unique combination of advice, advocacy and action, MS&L delivers measurable business results for many of the world's largest companies and most successful brands.

MS&L Worldwide (mslworldwide.com) is a member of the Publicis Groupe (Euronext Paris: FR0000130577), the world’s fourth largest communications group, and a global leader in digital and online advertising, media consulting, and healthcare communications. With some 45,000 professionals in 104 countries, the Groupe's activities cover advertising through three global advertising networks:  Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi, as well as through its two multi-hub networks Fallon Worldwide and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty; media agencies with two worldwide networks ZenithOptimedia and Starcom MediaVest Group; and marketing services, including digital and interactive communications through Digitas, relationship and direct marketing, public and media relations, corporate and financial communications, multicultural communications, and event communications. The Groupe is also the world leader in healthcare communications. Web site: www.publicisgroupe.com.