2009 PR People Awards: Investor Relations/Financial Communications Executive of the Year

Barb Iverson, President, Financial Services, Weber Shandwick

Barb Iverson is an innate problem solver. In the midst of the worst global financial crisis since the Great Depression, this talent has put her in great demand. In 2008, Iverson became the go-to communications executive for many of the world’s largest—and most troubled—financial services brands in the aftermath of the economic meltdown.

Dollars and Cents

Although it may have been the worst of times for some PR firms, for Iverson, it was the best of times as evidenced by her winning streak of private and public sector business. She also has helmed programs for high-profile federal government clients that saved taxpayers $303 million, and displayed true initiative by helping senior citizens, people with disabilities and other Americans obtain access to traditional banking services.

Direct Play

One of Iverson’s most notable campaigns was Go Direct for the U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve Banks, which in 2008 converted more than 1 million Americans receiving Social Security and other federal benefits from paper check to direct deposit. The campaign relied on an integrated media mix, and to date has produced $303 million in cost savings to taxpayers. ■

Honorable Mentions

In 2008, when the world was rocked by an economic tsunami, many financial brands turned to Collender for his expert advice. An architect of award-winning campaigns, Collender is a veritable walking encyclopedia when it comes to financial communications.

Mabee continues to play an integral role in shaping and communicating the strategic transformation of IT client Agilysys. In addition, he led a team that helped client A. Schulman Inc., a supplier of plastic compounds and resins, avoid a proxy contest and restructure its operations—eliminating more than $10 million in costs during its fiscal year.

December 7, 2009