Cozen O’Connor and Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies are pleased to announce communications counselor Tilden Katz — who has designed and executed communication strategies for some of the country’s best-known brands, including Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Walgreens, Chemours, Exxon, Merck, and the NCAA — has joined Public Strategies and will launch its new Strategic Communications/Reputation Management Practice. Katz joins as a senior principal and will reside at the firm’s Chicago and Washington, D.C. offices.
Serving as a trusted adviser and media spokesperson for clients, Katz brings a 20-year track record of successfully guiding boards of directors, corporate executives, and their outside counsel through a range of high-profile communications issues — including crises such as labor and employment disputes, cyber-breach issues, government investigations, class action litigation, race and discrimination matters, product recalls, and regulatory disputes, as well as strategic corporate communication campaigns.
Katz will launch Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ new Strategic Communications/ Reputation Management Practice, helping the firm’s clients avoid or mitigate reputational damage through deep experience with matters at the intersection of legal, business, and public issues.
“Tilden is a sought-after communications expert and his addition further extends Cozen O’Connor’s commitment to protecting our clients’ business interests,” said Michael J. Heller, Cozen O’Connor’s Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Social media and a 24/7 news cycle mean that a major public crisis can, in a matter of days ― or even hours, undermine years of hard work. Our goal has always been to serve as a one-stop risk management solution for our clients, and this practice will help clients not only avoid reputational harm, but respond strategically when threats arise.”
In his new role, Katz will partner with clients to analyze and identify potential reputational challenges and provide a range of deliverables, including strategic communications plans, message narratives, media training, proactive and reactive media outreach, social media strategy, talking points, and other advocacy documents.
“Adding this capability extends our ability to serve as trusted advisers to our clients — as lawyers, government strategists, and communications professionals,” said Howard Schweitzer, CEO of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies. “Our new communications practice further enhances our already strong national advocacy platform that includes leading federal, state, and local government relations practices.”
Earlier in his career, Katz was a managing director at FTI Consulting where he helped lead that firm’s litigation communications practice. Prior to joining FTI, he co-founded and led the Chicago office of global communications consultant APCO Worldwide for eight years, helping make the office one of the company’s most profitable. He also teaches a course titled "Litigation, Crises & Strategic Communication" at Northwestern University School of Law, where he was voted Outstanding Adjunct Professor in 2021.
“A reputational challenge, whether it’s negative media coverage, employee misconduct, union organizing, or operational difficulties, can occur suddenly,” Katz said. “With my proven track record of providing strategic planning and skilled rapid response, our clients will know they have an experienced partner available at a moment’s notice to protect their reputation and ability to operate. In today’s media environment, that’s a critically important offering.”
Katz earned his J.D. at Northwestern University School of Law and B.A., with honors, at Wesleyan University.
Original source can be found here.