- Structures deal with founder Michelle Flowers Welch for equity stake. -

(BLACK PR WIRE) – CHICAGO (February 19, 2013) – Flowers Communications Group (FCG), one of the country’s leading multicultural communications agencies, announced today Rashada Whitehead as chief executive officer. The announcement comes two years after Whitehead’s appointment to the position of president; and includes a deal that gives her an equity stake in the company.

“Today is a proud day for me as an entrepreneur and also a PR practitioner,” said FCG founder Michelle Flowers Welch, who now also assumes the role of chairman. “Rashada started her career at Flowers Communications Group right out of college and I am so proud of her evolution into such a dynamic, young business leader. Her remarkable focus, passion for the business and entrepreneurial spirit are a powerful combination that will serve this agency and our industry well.”

Since 2011, Whitehead has led the agency’s growth and profitability by maintaining its legacy of leadership and providing quality public relations and integrated marketing services to an impressive, growing roster of client partners which currently includes American Honda, Commonwealth Edison, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Illinois Department of Transportation, McDonald’s, MillerCoors, Sears Holdings Corporation and Wells Fargo, among other well-known and respected brands. The agency has been recognized with countless industry awards and honors for its creative, results-oriented work.

“Our goal at Flowers Communications Group has obviously been to grow our business but also to be leaders in the next era of communications,” said Whitehead. “Succession planning for any firm is paramount, particularly those independent. We’ve worked diligently to position ourselves at the forefront of strategy and creativity, and are excited about what the future holds.”

With an 18- to 24-month goal of taking the firm into the mid-size category for communications agencies, FCG has a forward-thinking, yet thoughtful business strategy to move its vision ahead. The firm also believes that the key drivers of its success are its strong credentials in driving total market communications initiatives with sound multicultural strategies, coupled with exceptional personnel talent.

Whitehead’s leadership has been recognized by PRWeek’s coveted “40 Under 40” award in 2009, and is evident in the accolades of the agency and her team which range from Best Places to Work in 2011 to top awards for social media, media relations and integrated communications campaigns in 2012. Prior to her return to FCG, she was a vice president with GolinHarris, where she led national and global strategies for McDonald’s, including support of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She is a Chicago native who is particularly passionate about equipping youth with economic and social empowerment to serve as future business leaders. Whitehead currently serves on the boards of Chicago Scholars and My Sisters Keeper Chicago.

Flowers Communications Group is an independently owned, communications agency based in Chicago. Founded in 1991 by D. Michelle Flowers Welch, its mission is to provide quality public relations and integrated marketing services that reach and respect diverse audiences by understanding and leveraging cultural nuances to impact the total market. FCG is a partner in IPREX, the global communication network. For more information, visit www.flowerscomm.com; or connect via social media at BLOOM, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and LinkedIn.