Addition of Public Affairs Leadership Brings Cross-Platform Media Prowess, Extensive Ties to Latin American Business Community
Washington, DC – Mercury, a leading global, bipartisan public strategy firm, announced today the addition of Fernando Espuelas, a veteran political journalist and media entrepreneur who co-founded StarMedia, the first major Internet media company for Spanish- and Portuguese- speaking audiences worldwide. Espuelas joins Mercury’s Washington, D.C. office as co-Chairman and brings diverse and invaluable insight into all aspects of the media industry and Latin American business community.
“Fernando is a true visionary whose wisdom, talent and drive transformed the way news is consumed and ideas are spread throughout the world,” said Mercury Partner and former U.S. Congressman Vin Weber. “His decades of experience as an entrepreneur, journalist and senior executive is a tremendous asset to the Mercury team as we continue to expand our public affairs capabilities, specifically our strategic media relations and digital practices.”
Espuelas spent a decade as a radio and television host and became the first American Latino to host a mainstream national Sunday politics TV program. Most recently, he was the host and producer of “Matter of Fact with Fernando Espuelas,” a national politics show produced and distributed by Hearst Television and Sony Pictures. The show became the No. 1 new national weekend show on American television in 2016. He was also previously the host and managing editor of a top-rated Latino talk-radio program on Univision Radio “Fernando Espuelas,” and developed and launched the first English-language radio talk show on Univision in 2009. He is a frequent commentator for CBS News, Fox News Latino, NPR, Sky News and many more.
“Mercury is a best-in-class public strategy firm with a reputation for solving complex problems for clients around the globe, and I am thrilled to join such an exceptional team,” said Espuelas.
In addition to his illustrious career in journalism, Fernando co-founded StarMedia, the first major Internet media company for the Latin American community. The company was renowned for product innovations like the first-ever free email service, first instant messaging system, first online TV network with CBS News and breakthrough mobile + broadband Internet services that impacted the lives of millions of people. Espuelas began his career working in marketing and communications, holding senior positions at Oglivy & Mather and as Managing Director of Marketing Communications at AT&T Latin America, where he launched the company’s first online services in the region.
Internationally recognized for his contributions to media and business, Espuelas is a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute and has been called a “Leader of the Millennium,” by CNN and Time Magazine, and an “All Star” leader by Crain’s New York Business.
About Mercury
Mercury is a high-stakes, bipartisan public strategy firm. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services that includes federal government relations, international affairs, digital influence, public opinion research, media strategy and a bipartisan grassroots mobilization network in all 50 states. Our firm is not just led by top talent — we distinguish ourselves by having senior talent deeply engaged in each project from start to finish, a promise we keep to clients. The firm has an established global presence, with U.S. offices in Washington, DC, New York, California, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Tennessee, as well as international offices in London and Mexico City. Mercury is a part of the Omnicom Public Relations Group.
About Omnicom Public Relations Group
Omnicom Public Relations Group is a global collective of three of the top global public relations agencies worldwide and specialist agencies in areas including public affairs, marketing to women, fashion, public health and corporate social responsibility. It encompasses more than 6,000 public relations professionals in more than 330 offices worldwide who provide their expertise to companies, government agencies, NGOs and nonprofits across a wide range of industries. Omnicom Public Relations Group delivers for clients through a relentless focus on talent, continuous pursuit of innovation and a culture steeped in collaboration. Omnicom Public Relations Group is part of the DAS Group of Companies, a division of Omnicom Group Inc. that includes more than 200 companies in a wide range of marketing disciplines including advertising, public relations, healthcare, customer relationship management, events, promotional marketing, branding and research.
Contact:
Georgia Patrascu
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