Financial services agency promotes directors in New York and London
Financial services specialist Cognito has appointed Jack Bergen to its board. He will also serve as Chairman of Cognito US, and provide advice on the 20-year-old agency’s growth plans in the US and internationally across its six offices.
Bergen’s forty-year career includes time as President of Hill & Knowlton US and CEO of the GCI Group, as well as top in-house roles at Alcoa, CBS and Siemens. He served as the first President of the Council of PR Firms. A West Point graduate, he was an Army Ranger before becoming Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger’s speechwriter in the 1980s.
Cognito, which specializes in communications and marketing for financial services and tech, has also promoted Becca Cooper to Deputy Managing Director in New York, and Benjamin Thiele Long to Head of West Coast. In addition, Jon Schubin in London and Jon Brubaker in New York are both promoted to Director: each has been with the firm for nearly a decade.
Tom Coombes, Cognito founder and CEO said:
“Experience and judgement are especially important now at a time of huge transition. Jack’s enthusiasm for the practice and business of communications has already been infectious, both with clients and our new generation of talent at Cognito.
“Our clients have been affected by Covid-19, but our integrated offering, combined with specialist industry knowledge, has worked well in enabling us to help clients pivot to the digital environment as they recover and reimagine their futures. We remain focused on assisting clients to enhance their brand profile and reputation, and on supporting their growth plans - whether through international expansion, deal-making building or digital transformation. We want to set the benchmark in delivering creative campaigns with impact and influence.”
Jack Bergen commented:
“Cognito has the strategy, scale and services that meet the needs of financial, technology and professional services firms in today’s uncertain economy, market disruption and ‘new normal’ workplace. I’m extraordinarily pleased to have the opportunity to help the Cognito leadership team and talented professionals navigate that challenging landscape on behalf of their clients.”
Cognito has also promoted a cohort of people at mid and junior levels across PR and digital marketing. It recently recruited graduates to its popular international graduate scheme, giving them the opportunity to grow their skills in digital marketing, social media, content and PR.
Coombes added:
“Our people are fundamental to our growth. The current crisis naturally makes many think afresh about their individual goals. More than ever we need to provide exciting career development opportunities at every level. Our model is to nurture and develop talent from within and to bring in expertise to ensure we are providing ideas, innovation and the best industry practices to our clients.”