Bowen has more than 15 years professional experience in Asia-Pacific. He has worked with a wide range of leading multinational companies from industries as diverse as automotive, financial services, education and defense. At Edelman Indonesia, he was responsible for developing the professional and leadership skills of the management team while providing senior strategic counsel and growing the firm’s client base. He also served as a member of Edelman’s regional Asia-Pacific training faculty.

An experienced corporate communicator, Bowen previously led Korea’s premier corporate practice as a Director at Edelman Korea. He also led the corporate practice for Edelman Malaysia. He has extensive experience in executive coaching and training, as well as brand positioning and issue management.

“Steve Bowen offers a unique blend of Asian consultancy experience and client-side global perspective,” says Pickard. “His marketing prowess and training capabilities will help us further cement B-M’s position and increase our profile as Asia-Pacific’s premium PR brand.”

“This is an incredible time to be returning to Burson-Marsteller,” says Bowen. “The firm has a long and proud heritage of groundbreaking work in Asia-Pacific. I look forward to becoming part of a talented and close-knit team of professionals and to contributing to the continued growth and success of the business in the region.”

Prior to joining Edelman, Bowen was head of International Public Relations for Kia Motors Corporation at the company’s headquarters in Seoul. The first non-Korean ever to be hired by the company, Bowen oversaw communications outreach across Kia’s 180 export markets and helped develop integrated communications plans to position the company’s corporate brand and new vehicle line-up.

Bowen joined Kia from Merit / Burson-Marsteller in Seoul, where he worked as a senior consultant serving corporate and technology clients. He was also on the teams that managed communications for the Korean Ministry of Finance, the 2002 Korea World Cup Organizing Committee and the launch of Korea’s award winning Incheon International Airport.

Before joining Merit / Burson-Marsteller, Bowen managed Publications and Research for the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea.

About Burson-Marsteller  
Burson-Marsteller, 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), the world’s leading communications services network.