Executive Editor of the National Journal’s Hotline Joins Burson-Marsteller

Adding to its formidable bench of Washington insiders, Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and communications firm, has appointed John Mercurio as a Director in its Media Practice. Mercurio is known as a leading political expert on national politics, campaigns and Capitol Hill and brings nearly twenty years of experience to his new position. Mercurio will be based in Washington, DC and will report to Burson-Marsteller Executive Vice President Worldwide Josh Gottheimer. Gottheimer also chairs the firm's US Media Practice.

"Our Media department is already home to a bevy of former top-tier journalists -- some of the best professionals in the business. John's political expertise and judgment will add even more depth to our newsroom," said Gottheimer.

Mercurio was most recently the Executive Editor of The National Journal’s Hotline, Washington’s premier daily online source on American politics. At the Hotline, he also wrote a widely read, weekly column on politics called "PolitiScope" for the National Journal's website. This column featured Mercurio’s perspective and reporting on current political issues. During his tenure at the Hotline, John was a regular on a wide range of Washington-based TV news shows including, C-SPAN’s "Washington Journal," CNN, MSNBC, FOX, CBS, and NBC.

Prior to joining the Hotline, Mercurio was CNN’s Political Editor from 2002 to 2005, where he managed the network’s political reporting and provided on-air analysis for the CNN News Group (CNN-Domestic, CNN-International and CNN-Headline News). He also wrote a political column called "The Morning Grind" that appeared on CNN.com.

Before joining CNN, Mercurio was a senior political reporter for Roll Call and the Washington Times. During his tenure at Roll Call, Mercurio covered congressional campaigns and elections over three election cycles. He also wrote a weekly column on congressional redistricting called "Between the Lines."

While at the Washington Times, Mercurio served as the Annapolis bureau chief and a DC City Hall reporter. During this period, he appeared on the "DC Politics Hour" on WAMU’s "Derrick McGinty Show" and other news talk shows.

Early in his career, Mercurio was an editorial intern at States News and The New York Times.

Mercurio's widely respected judgment, writing skills and network will make him a valued adviser to a wide array of clients.

About Burson-Marsteller

Burson-Marsteller (www.burson-marsteller.com), established in 1953, is a leading global public relations and communications firm. It provides clients with strategic thinking and program execution across a full range of public relations, public affairs, advertising and web-related services. The firm’s seamless worldwide network consists of 68 offices and 67 affiliate offices, together operating in 92 countries across six continents. Burson-Marsteller is a part of Young & Rubicam Brands, a subsidiary of WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY), one of the world’s leading communications services networks.

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