Hill & Knowlton boss Michelle Hutton quits for Edelman

Tim Burrowes

March 8, 2010 1:23

Hill & Knowlton CEO Michelle Hutton is quitting the agency for rival Edelman.

And Weber Shandwick’s head of client services Alexandra Kelly is to join Edelman as general manager of its Sydney office.

Hutton will not join Edelman until June 1. She said in a press release: “I am looking forward to working with the leadership team to build a unique and strong local offer in this market.”

Alan VanderMolen, Edelman’s President, Asia-Pacific, said: “We believe the time is now to deepen leadership and to innovate in this market. This is the first phase of a broader plan of initiatives that Edelman will be rolling out in Australia.”

Tim Burrowes

Tim Burrowes is the publisher of Mumbrella and Unmade. He co-founded Mumbrella in 2008 and sister title Unmade in 2021. He's worked in the UK, Middle East, Asia & Australia and has specialised in writing about the communications world for the last 25 years. He wrote the book Media Unmade, published in 2021, and became the presenter of MediaLand on ABC Radio National in 2025.

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4 COMMENTS

Rob Irwin 8 Mar 10

Good luck, Michelle. One of the nicest bosses I’ve ever worked under, back in my agency years.

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Chris Walton 8 Mar 10

All the best Michelle – I’m surte you will be at least as successful over at Edelman.

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Bubbles 31 Mar 10

Just went through a pitch process with 5 agencies including Edelman and H&K. Both stood out but for opposite reasons —Edelman impressed but H&K didn’t.

I’ve heard many people refer to H&K as a ‘sinking ship’ after steadily losing talent and clients (including myself) left right and centre for a while now?

So if that’s the case how does that reflect on Michelle? When you’re running the ship that’s sinking..?

Hope the same thing doesn’t happen to Edelman come June because I’m actually looking forward to working with them!

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