Nick Stravs Appointed Interim BCW Swiss Market LeaderNovember 12, 2018

LONDON, 12 November 2018 – BCW (Burson Cohn & Wolfe), a leading global communications agency, today announced that Nick Stravs has been named Interim CEO of BCW Switzerland. Stravs will start on 18 November and finalize the rebranding of the current Swiss Burson-Marsteller business to the BCW brand and offering. BCW was created by the 2018 merger of Burson-Marsteller and Cohn & Wolfe, combining Burson-Marsteller’s strength in public affairs, corporate and crisis management, technology and research with Cohn& Wolfe’s expertise in digitally driven, creative content and integrated communications across the consumer, healthcare and technology sectors.

“Nick is a seasoned client counsellor – having served as a global client relationship leader on Fortune 100 brands – and has built and run other international network agencies in Switzerland,” said Scott Wilson, President, Europe & Africa, BCW. “His appointment underscores BCW’s commitment to Switzerland as a critical market for our clients and our business. I am confident our business will be in very good hands with Nick while we search for a permanent CEO.”

BCW has offices in Zurich and Bern and serves clients in the Swiss Romondie and Ticino regions. BM Sport, located in Lausanne, will continue to report directly to Wilson.

“I am excited to oversee the rebranding to BCW in Switzerland and to introduce its outstanding integrated communications offering across the country,” added Stravs. “We have a great team in place serving iconic Swiss companies, Swiss government agencies and international clients alike. BCW’s standout expertise in digital and creative, together with its deep understanding of the Swiss market and vast global resources, make the agency an invaluable partner to clients across industries.”

Stravs began his career in Australian politics, where for seven years he was a Ministerial adviser across a range of economic, community services and environmental ministries as well as for the Premier of New South Wales. He was a founding partner of Australia’s first issues management firm, later sold to Omnicom-owned Gavin Anderson in 2000, and served as a Managing Director in its London office before returning to advisory work in Australia. In 2004, he joined Weber Shandwick in London to lead the global business of a major financial client and started by winning a 20 market EU mandate. In 2007, he relocated to Geneva office to run the global business of a top food and beverage client. In 2009, he was named Managing Director of Weber Shandwick’s Swiss market and in 2012 he became Chief Client Officer, EMEA. In the last 18 months, Stravs returned to private communications advisory work, based in Montreux, Vaud, advising a broad range of clients in the charity, fast moving consumer goods, security and technology sectors.

BCW’s search for a permanent market leader is underway, with a formal appointment expected in early 2019.