Hill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K), one of the world’s leading public relations firms, has appointed Steve Brecken as Senior Vice President within H+K’s Energy + Industrials (E+I) practice – strengthening H+K’s expertise within the industrials and manufacturing categories, as the firm continues its accelerated U.S. market growth.
Steve Brecken
Brecken brings deep sector knowledge within the aerospace, manufacturing, and technology sectors. Most recently, he led global external communications activities for Honeywell’s Aerospace business unit where his earned media efforts increased coverage by 200%, contributing to consistent year-over-year brand and revenue growth.
“It’s an honor to join the E+I team, especially during this transformational time. I look forward to applying my sector experience to help clients strengthen reputation, drive brand value and increase employee engagement through strategic and tactical campaigns,” says Brecken.
Brecken holds a breadth of expertise spanning strategic planning, media relations, crisis, team development, and executive communications. While at Honeywell Aerospace, he led communication strategy development and execution, public and media relations, and crisis, issues, and reputation management. He also transformed his team into a digital-first, sales demand-generating organization. Brecken’s innovative media campaigns earned global and national media coverage in support of the company’s growth objectives and technology leadership positions. Prior to Honeywell, Brecken served as the Communications Manager at Sierra Nevada Corporation, creating strategic communications campaigns that generated $400 million in new business, while also leading the development of the company’s communications team and authoring policies and procedures for its department. Earlier in his career, Steve served as Director of Communications at ITT Corporation’s Night Vision and Geospatial Systems businesses, followed by Director of Media Relations for ITT’s newly formed spin-off Exelis company.
“I am thrilled to have Steve join H+K US. His sector intelligence, married with a diverse range of expertise, will strengthen our E+I capabilities as we find new ways to apply creative solutions to some of the industries’ most complex client challenges,” said Richard Millar, H+K Global President and CEO of the Americas.
Brecken’s appointment is the latest in a series of recent US leadership hires under Richard Millar’s transformation agenda including, Rob Ferris, US Head of Energy + Industrials, Doug Ruchefsky, SVP, Consumer Markets, and Cathy Resler, Better Impact(TM) citizenship + sustainability lead, among others.
About Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Inc. is one of the world’s leading global public relations firms, partnering with local, multinational and global clients. H+K has over 80 offices in more than 40 markets, as well as an extensive associate network, that drives growth for clients, helps them manage risk, and defends and improves their reputations. Recent innovations include I-ACT, the Intelligence + Advisory Communications Team, Smart Media, an evolved approach to earned media, and Influencer+, a private influencer network.
Headquartered in New York, the firm is part of WPP, the world’s largest communications services company. For more information about H+K, visit our website and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
