Initiative Will Help Agency’s Ability to Serve Clients in Booming Chinese Market

It is well known that China is the new market, and one of the largest PR firms in the country is working to strengthen ties with the country. Fleishman-Hillard International Communications has recently launched its China Masters Exchange program. Three students were selected and will work in the agency’s offices in St. Louis, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.

“The China Masters Exchange program is one of many initiatives we have implemented to fortify Fleishman-Hillard’s ability to serve Chinese enterprises locally and globally, as well as enhance cultural collaboration companywide,” said Dave Senay, president and CEO of Fleishman-Hillard. “I am impressed with the caliber of talent I see represented in this inaugural class of the China Masters Exchange program and look forward to the many outstanding contributions I know these talented young professionals will make to our firm and the industry at large.”

The 2012 recipients of the China Masters Exchange program are Martina Mok, Jing Kuai, and Archer Zhang Erchi.
Mok, who grew up in Bangkok and Hong Kong and speaks three languages, holds a bachelor’s in business administration from Washington University in St. Louis. She will work at the agency’s St. Louis headquarters.

“The program is the type of opportunity that many international students dream of—training and real-world experience with an American multinational, which they can take back for the benefit of businesses in their home countries. I’m thrilled to apply that experience to Chinese clients expanding overseas,” said Mok.

Working in the Washington, D.C., office, Kuai is a native of Hefei, Anhui, China, and holds a master’s in global communications from George Washington University.

Zhang Erchi will work in the agency’s San Francisco office. He has an undergraduate degree from City University of Hong Kong and a master’s in communication from Stanford.

Launched in conjunction with Fleishman-Hillard’s Global China Practice, the China Masters Exchange focuses on identifying and nurturing Chinese students who are seeking careers in communications. Incubating high-potential Chinese students in Western business hubs will help these individuals fast track their careers by working with senior public affairs and corporate communications counselors. After a year of on-the-job training in the United States, these “China Masters” will transfer to the firm’s China operations, where they will be uniquely equipped to contribute a global perspective.

The program is open to Chinese-speaking students studying abroad and provides recipients $5,000 scholarships for their final semesters at partner universities.