NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MFD Communications LLC ("MFD") today announced that Kara Fitzsimmons has been named a Partner in the strategic communications consulting firm, which specializes in media training and key message development.
The addition of Ms. Fitzsimmons expands MFD's financial services expertise and training capabilities, and will help the firm continue its strong growth since its founding in 2011. The practice provides strategic communications consulting, media training and presentation coaching to executives in the financial services, technology, industrial and other sectors. Among its clients are global investment banks, technology and social media companies, hedge funds, private equity firms and industrial companies, from start-ups to well-established Fortune 500 companies.
"Kara's perspective and experience, including her recent work in the financial markets and technology sector, will be invaluable to our clients and our firm," said Melissa F Daly, Founding Partner, MFD Communications. "We are thrilled to have Kara as a part of our growing team and business."
Ms. Fitzsimmons joins MFD Communications after 12 years at Knight Capital Group, most recently as Managing Director, Media Relations. She has nearly 20 years of experience in media and public relations, as well as corporate, executive, internal and marketing communications.
The MFD team approaches each project by first understanding a client's specific business, industry and competitive landscape to inform the work, rather than providing an off-the-shelf approach. Once key messages are crafted, MFD's tailored media training sessions provide a primer on how the press works and how to build strong relationships with journalists, while the presentation training program helps prepare content and hone the skills and style necessary for effective delivery. With message development and training complete, MFD applies communications and media experience to develop targeted outreach for every need, from leveraging positive events to managing crises, from repositioning a business to building brand awareness.
"I've long subscribed to the approach that MFD takes toward media and presentation training," Ms. Fitzsimmons said. "Too often, training is divorced from actual corporate strategy. To great effect, MFD includes key message development driven by business needs as part of the executive coaching process. I am excited to join and further the success of MFD Communications."
Biographies
Melissa F Daly
Founding Partner, MFD Communications
Melissa F Daly has worked in financial communications for 20 years, with a special focus on key message development and media relations around critical issues. Melissa formed MFD Communications after spending three years at Goldman Sachs as Vice President, Corporate Communications. Prior to that, she was a Director at Brunswick Group, a London-based financial and business communications firm. There, she spearheaded its financial services business in the US, managing communications for hedge fund, private equity, insurance and traditional asset management firms. Melissa also worked at Fred Alger Management, The Hartford and Lipper in communications and media relations roles and has frequently appeared on CNBC and CNN as an industry commentator. Her experience spans across business sectors and continents.
Kara Fitzsimmons
Partner, MFD Communications
Kara Fitzsimmons is a communications professional with nearly 20 years of experience in media and public relations, as well as corporate, executive, internal and marketing communications. Prior to joining MFD, she held a variety of positions at Knight Capital Group, most recently Managing Director, Media Relations responsible for providing strategic communications and corporate positioning counsel to the executive team. Ms. Fitzsimmons also worked at boutique crisis and communications consultant Clark & Weinstock for clients across diverse industries. Earlier in her career, she was a reporter at Dow Jones covering asset management for its newswires and The Wall Street Journal.
About MFD Communications LLC
MFD Communications LLC is a New York-based strategic communications consulting firm specializing in key message development and media training with a customized approach. MFD was founded in 2011 based on the premise that broad business and financial services knowledge brings much-needed expertise to the process of crafting a distinct and clear story. At the same time, the firm has extensive and relevant experience preparing executives to present to external and internal audiences, handle press interviews and prepare for critical business pitches. This allows MFD to find the sweet spot where the client's need to communicate the right message and the audience's demand for compelling content intersect. For more information, please visit www.mfdcommunications.com.