In The News
Mercury Public Affairs Elevates Mary Beth Mulholland to Senior Vice President
October 13, 2026
Experienced communications strategist strengthens Mercury’s executive counsel, strategic communications, and media capabilities
CHICAGO – October 13, 2026 - Mercury Public Affairs today announced the promotion of Mary Beth Mulholland to Senior Vice President, just six months after she joined the firm in April. In her expanded role, Mulholland will strengthen Mercury’s strategic communications capabilities for organizations navigating evolving public, political, and business environments. She brings nearly two decades of experience developing integrated communications strategies, advising executives and organizations, and connecting communications to broader organizational goals.
“Mary Beth brings a valuable combination of strategic communications expertise, strong client counsel, and an ability to see the bigger picture for the clients she serves,” said Cheri Bustos, Partner at Mercury, who runs its Illinois and Midwestern operations. “She has demonstrated a true talent for translating complex issues into clear, compelling communications and building strategies that move audiences and advance an organization’s goals. Her promotion reflects the strength of her client counsel and the strategic value she brings to Mercury.”
At Mercury, Mulholland has advised a wide range of commercial and government clients on strategic communications, executive communications, media training, thought leadership and stakeholder engagement. Previously, she founded a strategic communications consultancy serving nonprofit, civic, cultural and consumer organizations. As Director of Marketing for the Chicago Public Library, she led marketing and communications across 81 locations and helped elevate the Library’s technology, adult learning and summer learning programs to national prominence, earning the team the John Cotton Dana Public Relations Award. She also partnered closely with the City of Chicago during the Emanuel administration on citywide initiatives and civic engagement. Earlier, as co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Pasta Pappone, a consumer packaged goods company, she scaled the brand from a single farmers market stall to more than 400 retail locations nationwide.
“Communications has the greatest impact when it is treated as a strategic function, not simply a way to tell people what an organization is doing,” said Mulholland. “The opportunity to help leaders think through their audiences, their narrative, and their broader goals — and then build communications around that strategy — is what has kept me energized throughout my career. I’m excited to continue bringing that approach to our clients at Mercury.”
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. With 15 offices nationwide, Mercury is part of Omnicom Public Relations. Learn more at www.mercuryllc.com
About Omnicom Public Relations
Omnicom Public Relations (OPR) is Omnicom’s global public relations capability and one of the company’s Connected Capabilities. Operating through leading agency brands, OPR advises and activates for clients across corporate and brand communications, health, public affairs, and social impact. OPR connects world-class talent with shared platforms, technology, and data-driven intelligence, including Omnicom’s Omni platform, to deliver integrated communications that shape reputation, drive influence, and produce measurable impact worldwide
CHICAGO – October 13, 2026 - Mercury Public Affairs today announced the promotion of Mary Beth Mulholland to Senior Vice President, just six months after she joined the firm in April. In her expanded role, Mulholland will strengthen Mercury’s strategic communications capabilities for organizations navigating evolving public, political, and business environments. She brings nearly two decades of experience developing integrated communications strategies, advising executives and organizations, and connecting communications to broader organizational goals.
“Mary Beth brings a valuable combination of strategic communications expertise, strong client counsel, and an ability to see the bigger picture for the clients she serves,” said Cheri Bustos, Partner at Mercury, who runs its Illinois and Midwestern operations. “She has demonstrated a true talent for translating complex issues into clear, compelling communications and building strategies that move audiences and advance an organization’s goals. Her promotion reflects the strength of her client counsel and the strategic value she brings to Mercury.”
At Mercury, Mulholland has advised a wide range of commercial and government clients on strategic communications, executive communications, media training, thought leadership and stakeholder engagement. Previously, she founded a strategic communications consultancy serving nonprofit, civic, cultural and consumer organizations. As Director of Marketing for the Chicago Public Library, she led marketing and communications across 81 locations and helped elevate the Library’s technology, adult learning and summer learning programs to national prominence, earning the team the John Cotton Dana Public Relations Award. She also partnered closely with the City of Chicago during the Emanuel administration on citywide initiatives and civic engagement. Earlier, as co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Pasta Pappone, a consumer packaged goods company, she scaled the brand from a single farmers market stall to more than 400 retail locations nationwide.
“Communications has the greatest impact when it is treated as a strategic function, not simply a way to tell people what an organization is doing,” said Mulholland. “The opportunity to help leaders think through their audiences, their narrative, and their broader goals — and then build communications around that strategy — is what has kept me energized throughout my career. I’m excited to continue bringing that approach to our clients at Mercury.”
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. With 15 offices nationwide, Mercury is part of Omnicom Public Relations. Learn more at www.mercuryllc.com
About Omnicom Public Relations
Omnicom Public Relations (OPR) is Omnicom’s global public relations capability and one of the company’s Connected Capabilities. Operating through leading agency brands, OPR advises and activates for clients across corporate and brand communications, health, public affairs, and social impact. OPR connects world-class talent with shared platforms, technology, and data-driven intelligence, including Omnicom’s Omni platform, to deliver integrated communications that shape reputation, drive influence, and produce measurable impact worldwide
