French/West/Vaughan (FWV), the nation’s 15th largest independently held public relations agency, has hired a high-profile executive with extensive pharmaceutical, financial services, higher education and Capitol Hill experience to oversee its expansive corporate communications and public affairs practices. Earl Whipple joined FWV today as Senior Vice President in the firm’s Raleigh headquarters office. In his new role, Whipple will manage a portfolio of accounts in the technology, electrification, diagnostic, biosciences and regulated industries marketplaces.
Most recently, Whipple was Vice President for Communications at the University of North Carolina (UNC) System with communications oversight responsibility for all 16 UNC System universities, UNC Health and PBS North Carolina. He is a Capitol Hill veteran who served as chief spokesperson for the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and its acting chairman; and chief of staff and lead spokesperson for the U.S. House of Representatives, where he also led seven offices for three members of Congress on the Armed Services, Judiciary and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees.
Whipple also spent nearly 20 years in Philadelphia, during which time he led corporate communications, marketing and public relations for complex, highly visible global organizations including Penn Mutual, AstraZeneca and Merck.
Whipple holds a Master of Business Administration from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa.
“Earl brings to FWV extensive expertise in developing and implementing strategies that enhance and protect corporate reputations and drive business results,” said FWV Chairman & CEO Rick French. “He also brings deep knowledge and ties to our nation’s Capitol, which should benefit many of our agency clients who engage lawmakers in public policy discussions.”
FWV employs more than 130 public relations, public affairs, social media, advertising and digital marketing experts among its Raleigh, New York City, Los Angeles, Boston and Tampa offices.
About French/West/Vaughan
French/West/Vaughan (FWV) is one of the nation’s leading public relations, public affairs, advertising and digital media agencies. National, international and local clients represented by the agency include Wrangler, ABB, Proximo, Melitta, Volvo Trucks North America, the V Foundation for Cancer Research and the N.C. Department of Transportation. Owned or affiliated companies include fashion and lifestyle PR firm AMP3 (New York City); pet and animal health practice FWV Fetching; active lifestyle, outdoor, ski, fashion, technology and travel PR and consumer brand marketing agency CGPR (Greater Boston); and feature film development imprint Prix Productions. FWV is a partner in IPREX, a $380 million network of communication agencies with 1,600 staff and 110 offices worldwide. For more information, please visit fwv-us.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Vimeo or Instagram.
