FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Rachel LePoudre, APR
EM: rlepoudre@truscottrossman.com
PH: (248) 404-0722
Truscott Rossman Grows Lansing Team, Reorganizes Firm
DETROIT, Mich. (Aug. 5, 2021) – Award-winning strategic communications and storytelling agency Truscott Rossman announced two new hires today and a major reorganization designed to sharpen its focus on servicing a growing international, national and Michigan client list.
Beginning today, the firm is offering two new divisions – a fully-dedicated crisis management team and an enterprise-level digital storytelling team. These will complement TR’s vaunted public affairs practice and a corporate/executive communications division that has grown in the last two years to include not only many of Michigan’s largest corporations but also international auto and tech companies.
“The TR team is stronger and smarter than ever,” said John Truscott, CEO of Truscott Rossman. “Like the corporate, non-profit, and governmental clients we serve, this firm is doubling down on the attributes that built our brand – experience, expertise, creativity, integrity – while also adapting to these fast-changing times.”
“The art and science of communications is evolving every day,” president Ron Fournier said. “So is TR.”
NEW HIRES
Joshua Pugh will join TR’s Lansing team as its public affairs and digital strategist. Pugh comes to TR from the Michigan AFL-CIO, where he was communications director, and For Our Future, where he also held the title of communications director. Pugh has extensive experience in Democratic politics, including time working for the Michigan Democratic Party and Progress Michigan. He is an alumnus of Alma College and resides in Lansing, where he serves on the board of the Lansing Common Football Club.
The firm also recently hired Davi Murray as an account executive in its Detroit office. A recent graduate of Central Michigan University, Murray will use her broad skill set in public relations, advertising and integrated marketing to support a wide range of clients, including one of the world’s largest social media companies.
GROWING SERVICES
In addition to new hires, the firm has built a focused growth strategy around four core service areas.
Public Affairs
Andrea Bitely now serves as TR’s senior director for public affairs and is the manager of the firm’s Lansing office. Bitely and her team develop strategies, build coalitions and connect with media on top issues impacting Michigan residents though local, state and federal legislation. Bitely was recently named alongside John Truscott as one of MIRS Top Public Relations professionals in Lansing.
Crisis Communications
Sara Wurfel, MA, APR, now serves as TR’s senior director of crisis communications and leads the crisis management team in issue management, crisis mitigation and planning. Long known for crisis communications, TR has now created for the first time a dedicated team to apply this experience with expert precision. Wurfel is known for her complex issue management and media relations. She joined TR in November of 2015 after serving as press secretary and spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Snyder. Prior to that, she held lead communications and public affairs positions in nonprofit and healthcare, and with previous Michigan administrations.
Enterprise Level Digital Storytelling
TR’s Chief Digital Officer Chad Cyrowski is building a focused service area for enterprise level digital storytelling. Based in Detroit and a long-term digital strategist at TR, Cyrowski and his new team scale digital efforts for organizations across organic, paid and earned platforms. This includes social media and community management, digital marketing, digital media strategy and implementation, and brand journalism. As part of this growth, Rachel LePoudre, MA, APR, was promoted to director of digital media.
Corporate and Executive Communications
As TR expands its corporate client base in Detroit and statewide, the firm is also focused on growing its core corporate and executive communications services. This work includes integrated stakeholder communications, reputation management, speechwriting, media training and speaker training. Allie Walker, MA, who manages TR’s day-to-day operations as the firm’s vice president, leads this service area with Dan Herrick, who was recently promoted to senior corporate communications strategist.
ENHANCED STRUCTURE AND CLIENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
As the firm positions itself for growth, it has made additional staffing changes.
Chris Tippett, who has managed the day-to-day operations and business strategy for the firm since 2018, was recently promoted to operations and strategy officer. In his new role, he worked closely with Walker to research, vet and implement a new, highly effective project management system designed to enhance client service firm-wide.
Amy LeFebre was promoted to senior director, West Michigan, and now heads our Grand Rapids office. LeFebre has been a leader in TR’s West Michigan office since 2014 and is a local PR veteran, with expertise in executive communications, speech writing, issue and crisis management and strategy development.
ABOUT TRUSCOTT ROSSMAN
Truscott Rossman is a full-service strategic communications and storytelling agency representing local, statewide and nationwide clients. From our headquarters in Detroit and offices in Grand Rapids, Lansing and Washington, DC, Truscott Rossman covers the landscape to meet the needs of our clients. To learn more visit truscottrossman.com.
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