Brunswick Group, the strategic advisory firm focused on critical issues, today announced that Don Baer has joined as a Senior Partner based in Washington, D.C.
Throughout his career as a media and communications executive, Don has held a wide range of leadership roles in business, government and the non-profit sector. He joins Brunswick after serving as Worldwide Chair and CEO of strategic communications firm Burson-Marsteller for six years, followed by two years as Chair of BCW. Don’s career has included serving President Bill Clinton as White House Communications Director and Chief Speechwriter and working as a top executive at Discovery Communications and as a senior journalist at U.S. News & World Report. Don is Chair of the PBS Board of Directors and a member of the Meredith Corporation Board of Directors.
At Brunswick, Don will bring his deep experience to counselling the firm’s clients on their most critical issues, drawing on the work he has led for global clients in every sector and part of the world, especially major technology, communications, media, consulting and financial services businesses.
Neal Wolin, Chief Executive Officer, commented: “Don is one of the most experienced, strategic and creative practitioners in our industry. He understands deeply the pressures facing organizations today and is a trusted confidante to business leaders. His extensive experience across all aspects of Brunswick’s capabilities – financial, political and social – will be invaluable to our clients. We are delighted to add his expertise to our firm’s growing capabilities around the world, including those in our expanding Washington, D.C. office.”
On joining Brunswick, Don Baer said: “These times call more than ever for the unparalleled strategic service Brunswick provides, and I am thrilled to join the pre-eminent firm for leaders seeking counsel on their most critical challenges and greatest opportunities. I am especially excited to work closely with Brunswick’s outstanding professionals, many of whom I have respected for years as leaders in their fields, and with the firm’s excellent clients.”
About Don Baer
Don Baer was the Global Chair of the strategic communications firm BCW from 2018-2020. From 2012-18, he was Worldwide Chair and CEO of Burson-Marsteller and a member of the firm’s senior leadership from 2008. From 1998-2007, Don was Senior Executive Vice President for Strategy and Development at global media company Discovery Communications, home of the Discovery Channel and media properties around the world. His work there included producing Emmy Award-winning nonfiction programming, and he was the winner of two Writers Guild of America awards.
From 1994-98, Don was a senior advisor to President Bill Clinton, serving as Assistant to the President and White House Director of Strategic Planning and Communications, Chief Speechwriter and Director of Speechwriting and Research. Before working in the White House, Don was a journalist, as an assistant managing editor, national political correspondent and White House correspondent at U.S. News & World Report and a reporter at The American Lawyer. Don started his career as a media lawyer in New York City at Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler.
Don has served, since 2014, as Chair of the Board of Directors of PBS and as a member of the Board of Directors of Meredith Corporation. He also serves on the Planet World Board of Directors, NewsGuard’s Advisory Board and OZY Media’s Board of Advisors. In 2020, Don was a Walter Shorenstein Fellow and Hauser Leadership Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Don received a B.A. from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Phi Beta Kappa), a Master’s in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science (Rotary Fellowship) and a J.D. from The University of Virginia School of Law.
About Brunswick Group
Brunswick is a strategic advisory firm focused on critical issues. Our purpose is to help the great value-creating organizations of the world play a more successful role in society. We advise on critical issues at the center of business, politics and society, and help our clients – the leaders of large, complex organizations – understand and navigate these interconnected worlds. Brunswick is one firm globally, operating as a single profit center. This allows us to respond seamlessly and effectively to clients’ needs wherever they are in the world.
For more information, visit: www.brunswickgroup.com.
Contact
Name: Chris Buscombe
Email: [email protected]