Longtime communications leader and Luxe List creator reaches 16-year milestone with worldwide executive branding agency
My approach has consistently centered on identifying narratives, perspectives and ideas that make a client truly newsworthy, then pinpointing the ideal channels to present those concepts to key audiences.”— Merilee Kern, MBA
Ascendant Group, a top-tier global branding firm focused on CEOs, executives and corporations, has announced that Merilee A. Kern, MBA, has been named Vice President of Public Relations. The promotion acknowledges her close to 16 years with the organization and her extensive experience designing and executing strategic communications and media outreach initiatives for chief executives, business leaders, founders and brands.
Kern first joined Ascendant Group in 2010 as its chief public relations strategist. Since that time, she has directed communications and PR programs aimed at boosting executive profiles, establishing thought leadership and strengthening brand authority via earned media coverage. Her contributions at Ascendant have involved constructing comprehensive thought leadership platforms for executives, developing messaging across multiple channels and securing national press placements in prominent outlets such as Forbes, Fortune, Entrepreneur, along with numerous national and local television broadcasts.
“Merilee has been a vital member of Ascendant for over fifteen years, and this VP appointment reflects both the quality of her output and the influence she has had on our clients and our organization,” said Raoul Davis, Founder and CEO of Ascendant Group. “She recognizes that impactful public relations for CEOs and executives goes well beyond just earning media mentions. It demands uncovering the concepts, viewpoints and narratives that distinguish a leader, then converting those assets into lasting visibility, credibility and authority. Merilee has shown that capability time and again.”
Established by Davis in 2004, Ascendant Group was among the first players in what would grow into the contemporary CEO and executive branding space. The firm positions itself as one of the world's pioneering and most comprehensive CEO branding organizations, having dedicated over two decades to helping executives gain recognition as industry authorities. Its offerings include brand strategy, public relations, social media, design, strategic networking and visibility initiatives, photography, videography, publishing and other related services.
Ascendant's methodology originated from Davis' conviction that the reputation and prominence of an organization's leader can serve as a substantial business advantage. The company has created a proprietary five-phase branding framework centered on brand strategy, acceleration and monetization, serving clients that span Fortune 50 executives as well as startup founders and entrepreneurs. Its reach has extended throughout the United States and into global markets.
“Ascendant was focused on CEO branding long before executive visibility became the business priority it is now,” said Janie Mackenzie, Senior Vice President of Public Relations. “Our approach has always revolved around pinpointing what makes a leader credible and compelling, crafting a unique position around those attributes, and then constructing the appropriate communications framework to introduce that position to the market. Public relations is an essential element of that equation, and Merilee's guidance will allow us to keep advancing how we generate meaningful visibility and thought leadership for our clients.”
Kern arrives in this position with more than two decades of expertise in public relations, strategic communications, brand storytelling and content creation. Her professional background includes orchestrating integrated B2B and B2C communication strategies, shaping visibility and thought leadership initiatives for Fortune-listed executives, entrepreneurial founders and public personalities, and securing thousands of earned media hits across national and regional broadcast, print and digital platforms.
Her expertise spans strategic communications and PR campaigns, executive and thought leadership messaging, brand positioning and narrative development, media relations, multi-platform content creation, crisis communications and reputation management. Additionally, Kern is part of the Entrepreneur Leadership Network and previously held membership in the Forbes Business Council.
In her new capacity as Vice President of Public Relations, Kern will take a leading role in Ascendant's PR operations and will keep designing integrated earned and controlled media strategies along with thought leadership initiatives that transform clients' knowledge, viewpoints and business goals into compelling public stories. She will also collaborate across the firm's various executive branding disciplines to make certain that public relations efforts support clients' positioning and long-term brand growth.
“Being an integral part of Ascendant since 2010 has given me the unique chance to observe both the agency and the CEO branding industry evolve,” Kern said. “What has remained constant is our conviction that the most powerful executive brands are grounded in substance. My focus has always been on discovering the stories, insights and perspectives that render a client genuinely noteworthy, then identifying the right avenues to share those ideas with relevant audiences. I look forward to embracing this expanded leadership role and helping steer the next phase of Ascendant's PR practice.”
Davis launched Ascendant after spotting a void in the conventional public relations landscape and aiming to create a more holistic method for executive visibility and brand growth. Since its founding, the company has broadened its model across numerous communications disciplines and international markets, all while preserving CEO and executive branding as its primary mission.
“Merilee has been part of Ascendant through a large portion of its journey,” Davis added. “There is immense value in having a leader who comprehends not just where the industry is headed, but also the reasons behind how we structured this company. Her deep institutional knowledge, media instincts, strategic insight and dedication to client success make her exceptionally qualified to guide our public relations initiatives forward.”
About Ascendant Group
Founded in 2004, Ascendant Group stands as a worldwide CEO, executive and corporate branding firm that specializes in assisting leaders in cultivating distinctive, credible and influential brands. The company's holistic approach merges brand strategy, public relations, social media, design, strategic relationship and visibility development, photography, videography, publishing and other disciplines to support CEOs and executives in enhancing their market positioning and driving business expansion. Ascendant has served executives and organizations across the United States and international markets and has earned recognition from industry bodies and media outlets for its contributions to public relations and branding. Additional information is available at www.ascendantgroupbranding.com.
Merilee Kern
Ascendant Group & Luxe List
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