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William Morris has sent along the press release on former Villaraigosa deputy Cecile Ablack, who we told you Friday was going Hollywood. The flackage — which notes that Chris Petrikin, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, "will continue in that role" — is after the jump.
The appointment is effective beginning December 6, 2006.
In this role, Ablack will be responsible for overseeing strategic communications worldwide across the diverse business segments of the agency, which include Motion Pictures, Television, Music and Personal Appearances, Broadway Theatre and Theatrical Touring, Book Publishing, Commercial Endorsements, Sports Marketing and Corporate Consulting. Ablack will be based in the agency’s Beverly Hills headquarters.
“As a truly global entertainment company, we are thrilled to have someone with Cecile’s impeccable international credentials joining our team,” said Wiatt. “Cecile not only will play a key role in positioning the agency for the future, but she also will be invaluable as we expand our operations internationally.”
Ms. Ablack joins WMA after leading the communications operation of Los Angeles Mayor, Antonio R. Villaraigosa.
In a statement, Villaraigosa said: “Cecile Ablack is a world-class professional who came to a new mayor's office in its hectic starting months to create what has become a very robust communications office. As Deputy Mayor, Cecile has been a central spark and anchor for all our strategic communications and media outreach efforts, including most notably those supporting my first city budget and first trade mission to Asia. I value her judgement, her wide-ranging experience and her creativity. I wish Cecile continued success and achievement in her new post at the William Morris Agency.”
Chris Petrikin, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, will continue in that role.
Ms. Ablack has held communications positions across the private, public and non-profit sectors. Previously, she was an Associate Dean at Yale University overseeing international public affairs and strategic planning for its business school. In the first Clinton Administration, she was a senior public affairs official directing media and government relations, and crisis management – in the international trade arena – for Secretary of Commerce, Ron Brown. Ms Ablack also has worked for several multinational advertising agencies where she focused on client service brand-building; the roles of new and old media, and risk management. Early in her career, she worked for Time Inc. and the Prime Minister of Jamaica.
Ms Ablack was born in London, England and is a graduate of Yale University.