By Frank Washkuch
SANTA MONICA, CA: Coyne PR has opened its first West Coast office with former Rogers & Cowan EVP Heather Krug at the helm.
Krug is the only staffer in the Santa Monica, CA, office at launch, but she is interviewing prospective employees. Coyne's goal is to have a team of between eight and 15 employees in the West Coast outpost, she said.
Krug will use the title of GM of Coyne West Coast and SVP, with responsibilities including expanding the firm's presence in the entertainment industry and facilitating relationships between clients and entertainment influencers.
New clients serviced by the office include triathlon-organizer and fitness organization Ironman and entertainment company IMAX.
“I know the celebrity world really well, and I also have experience working with consumer brands,” said Krug. “Being someone who knows how to do both and how to use the right creativity and content, as well as the right ideas and celebrities to align with a brand is something I'm excited to do at Coyne.”
Krug worked for 13 years at Rogers & Cowan, collaborating with brands such as Coca-Cola, General Mills, and the PGA Tour. She was CEO of Bear Grylls Ventures from June 2012 to this February, serving as the star's publicist and orchestrating TV and business deals before joining Coyne last month.
Parsippany, NJ-based Coyne reported a 13% increase in revenue in 2012, all in the US, in PRWeek's 2013 Agency Business Report.
