APCO Worldwide Names Brad Staples as CEO; Margery Kraus Takes New Role as Executive Chairman

Evan Kraus appointed president, managing director of operations and Neal Cohen as vice chairman of the board, president, global strategy

Washington, D.C. (November 21, 2014) – APCO Worldwide announced today that Brad Staples, president, international, was appointed CEO effective January 5, 2015. Margery Kraus, founder and CEO, will assume the role of executive chairman of the company. Evan Kraus will be the company’s president and managing director of operations, and Neal Cohen was named vice chairman of the board, and president, global client strategy, effective the same date.

“As we celebrate the close of our 30th year, I wanted to make sure we had a plan in place that created certainty for the company as we look forward to our 4th decade,” said Margery Kraus. “Today’s announcement is a seamless evolution of the leadership of our firm designed to drive stronger global collaboration, deeper relationships with clients and more compelling, creative programming that delivers greater impact for clients and their stakeholders while empowering a new generation of the firm’s leaders.”

“I am honored to lead APCO forward into this exciting, new chapter for our company, our employees and our clients around the globe. Margery has provided extraordinary leadership over the past 30 years, building APCO from a single employee into an industry-leading, global enterprise,” Staples said. “Our common culture and integrated approach to client service has always been a key differentiator for us. While our offer and our ideas will continue to evolve, we remain absolutely committed to deploying our best resources across the firm to solve our clients’ most complex challenges.”

This new generation of leadership for the firm reinforces the company’s commitment to the changing global nature of business and communications and a shift in corporate interests to new, international markets. It also capitalizes on Staples’ nearly two decades of experience building and leading APCO’s international operations.

Evan Kraus’ new role expands on his 18 years of experience at APCO creating and strengthening the company’s digital and creative offer. While assuming more operational responsibility for the firm, his experience will assure the firm’s commitment to bringing the best analytics, digital, ideas and creative to its long-standing heritage of public affairs, issues, and corporate brand and reputation.

Cohen’s experience as one of the most senior client strategists at the firm will be a critical component to the firm’s goal of remaining a trusted client partner. As vice chairman of the board, Cohen’s leadership will be invaluable in infusing knowledge of the marketplace and the clients into board decision-making.

Staples will be based in London and Evan Kraus and Neal Cohen will continue to be based in Washington, D.C.

“Brad, Evan and Neal represent the very best of APCO – deep global perspectives, understanding of the changing communications landscape and commitment to providing the very best thinking to our clients,” said Margery Kraus. “They have helped build APCO into the company it is today, and I am convinced these changes and the decisions that will follow will set a very exciting and positive course for our future.”

“I am looking forward to collaborating with Brad on this next phase of our growth,” said Evan Kraus. “I am also thrilled we can build on Neal’s 28 years at APCO, where he managed the global operations and advised many of our major clients. His experience will continue to be invaluable as we take the firm to the next level.”

As the firm’s founder and largest shareholder, Margery Kraus will remain an integral part of the company, actively involved in client development as well as working with the Board and Brad to set the firm’s future direction through her role as executive chairman.