Wilks joins MSL as managing director for North America Midwest operations
Brad Wilks, veteran IRO and corporate counselor, has joined MSLGROUP, the ‘flagship strategic communications and engagement’ arm of France-based global communications giant Publicis Groupe.
Wilks was named managing director of MSLGROUP’s North America Midwest operations, responsible for offices in Chicago and Detroit, effective immediately. 
Wilks, who served as chairman of NIRI in 2010, is responsible for all aspects of business strategy, performance, growth, client service and talent at both MSL Chicago and MSL Detroit.
He most recently served as managing director and head of the Chicago office of Sard Verbinnen & Co, the strategic corporate and financial communications firm.
Speaking with IR Magazine, Wilks says he was keen to seize the opportunity to work for part of Publicis’ global integrated communications network, which covers advertising, marketing and communications practices, including Kekst & Co, the crisis and financial communications firm. ‘I’m excited to be serving clients globally,’ Wilks states.
Prior to joining Sard Verbinnen, Wilks was a managing director at Ogilvy Public Relations and a partner at Fleishman-Hillard. He also served for six years as director of investor relations for Ball Corporation.
Wilks succeeds Joel Curran who transferred to the role of managing director of MSL New York in September.
