John Holden joins Hill & Knowlton as Beijing managing director

Press Release: November 5, 2008

Hill & Knowlton announced that John L. Holden has joined the firm as Managing Director of Hill & Knowlton Beijing.

"John comes to us with extraordinary breadth and depth of expertise in China," said James B. Heimowitz, President & CEO, North Asia. "We're delighted to welcome him to Hill & Knowlton, the first international agency to enter China. Since its establishment in 1984, Hill & Knowlton Beijing has grown to become our largest office in Asia. H&K advises a broad spectrum of Chinese companies, multinationals and government, and is committed to bringing cutting-edge and global standards to China. I am confident that under John’s leadership Hill & Knowlton Beijing will continue to grow by offering increasingly sophisticated capabilities in China.”

About his appointment, Mr. Holden said: "I’m very excited to join Hill and Knowlton’s great team of over 170 professionals here in Beijing, and to be working with outstanding colleagues in 73 offices around the globe. Throughout my career I’ve been engaged in ensuring that messages are fashioned and communicated in the most productive ways. H&K offers market-leading, innovative and effective solutions for our clients' business challenges within China. And our global network and reputation for integrity make H&K uniquely positioned to help our Chinese clients ‘go global.’”

Mr. Holden is an experienced China veteran. Immediate past president of the National Committee on United States – China Relations (1998-2005), he has previously held positions as Chairman of Shaklee China, Chairman/GM of Cargill China, General Manager of BankAmerica World Trade Corp.’s PRC business, and China Trading Manager of Unison International. In 1981 Mr. Holden interpreted for National Geographic teams researching the Yellow River basin and Tibet for the acclaimed book Journey Into China. Mr. Holden is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Governors of the American Chamber of Commerce in China.

Mr.Holden first visited China in 1974, and has personally witnessed the extraordinary progress China has made since the the Reform and Opening policies were introduced 30 years ago.

H&K Beijing was recognized “PR agency of the Year” at the Asia Pacific PR awards in 2006 and advised BOCOG for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.