Company: MWW, East Rutherford, NJ
Company Description: MWW is one of the top ten global independent public relations firms and is known for its results-driven approach to public relations and "Aim High. Deliver" commitment to client service. MWW is a different kind of agency. Passionate, driven, highly experienced professionals with an entrepreneurial attitude, strategic thinking and flawless execution.
Nomination Category: Management Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Executive of the Year - Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations

Nomination Title: Michael Kempner, CEO, President and Founder

Tell the story about what this nominated executive has achieved since January 1, 2014 (up to 650 words). Describe the impact he or she has had on your organization. Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. TEXT REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION

Michael W. Kempner is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of MWW, and one of the rare talents in today’s workforce who has built his company from the ground up. In 1986, Michael started MWW with one client in one office, and has grown the agency into one of the top five independent firms in the country, with nine offices worldwide. In growing MWW, Michael has become a nationally recognized authority across a variety of disciplines – including crisis management, investor relations, public affairs, business to business, consumer marketing and corporate social responsibility – and has successfully guided corporate communications programs for hundreds of companies, ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500s. Outside of the office, Michael is a published author and speaks frequently on topics related to public relations, management, and entrepreneurship and marketing issues. He also blogs and is a frequent contributor to the Huffington Post.

Under Michael’s leadership, MWW has gained over 322 new clients to date in 2014, and client retention remains at a steady rate. Michael is adept at forming relationships with clients and constantly challenges his team to raise the bar, setting the standard of delivering results that exceed client expectations. More than 40 percent of our clients have been with us for more than five years, which is no small feat, and though we have some cornerstone clients of the agency.

Aside from new business wins, 2014 was a banner year for MWW as a whole, including the launch of new practice groups, growth of existing practice groups, and further international expansion of the agency, all spearheaded by Michael’s vision and efforts. Highlights include:

• Global Expansion. In November of 2013, MWW officially opened MWW UK with the acquisition of Parys Communications. The opening of MWW in London marked a major milestone in the 28-year history of the firm and was a critical first step in our long-term expansion strategy into Europe. On the one-year anniversary of the MWW UK opening, Michael further amplified MWW’s UK expansion with the acquisition of Braben Communications. In acquiring Braben, MWW UK now offers one of the most renowned media and telecommunications practices across the UK.

• Launch of New Practices. In early 2014, MWW acquired LGBT agency Macias Media Group, Inc. and launched a formal LGBT practice, making us a national leader in LGBT marketing and one of the only firms with a dedicated LGBT practice. Michael oversaw the acquisition once he recognized the need among our clients for services that tap into the influence of the LGBT community. Additionally, Michael launched our firm’s first Travel and Tourism practice, which includes work being led across multiple offices.

• Growth of Research and Insights Practice. Insights and analytics are used for every practice across the board to drive each of our client programs and over the past year, the Research and Insights team has grown significantly due to Michael’s recognition of added value for our clients. The practice offers dashboard design, measurement audits, media coverage analysis, opinion polling/surveys, primary and secondary research and social media analysis. In 2014, the Matter More Project was released, one of the largest known studies of American life priorities to date. It allows us to put a lens on what matters most (and least) to consumers and develop more relevant brand communication strategies.

Michael also sits on the Dean’s Advisory Council, which is charged with overseeing a $20 million renovation of the current SOC building and will offer future students a new dynamic, multimedia environment to further hone their PR skills.

In bullet-list form, briefly summarize up to ten (10) of the chief accomplishments of this nominated executive since the beginning of 2014.

Michael’s recent accomplishments include:

• Earning several of the industry’s top recognitions, including 2014 PR Executive of the Year by the International Business Awards; 2013 Alumni Recognition Award from American University; Bulldog Stars of PR 2013 Agency Professional and Communications Professional of the Year; and American Business Award 2013 Executive of the Year

• The United States Senate appointed Michael Kempner as part of the nine-member board for the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), the federal agency responsible for US-financed international civilian media.

• Being appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as a member of the White House Council for Community Solutions, helping to create lasting community-based solutions to help re-engage the more than four million American disenfranchised youth, alongside other council members including First Lady Michelle Obama and Jon Bon Jovi.

• Serving as a Founding Board Member of ConnectOne Bank, in addition to a board member of Goodwill Industries International