Former litigator, public affairs shop co-founder and public relations agency culture-builder brings two decades of experience
Los Angeles — Hill+Knowlton Strategies today announced veteran public affairs and public relations strategist and agency leader Larry Krutchik will join the firm Aug. 31 as a senior vice president based in Los Angeles. With more than 20 years of professional experience, Krutchik most recently was a firm partner at Allison+Partners. 
“Deploying very senior, very experienced corporate and public affairs counselors on behalf of our clients has been a historical H+K strength, and Larry fits that model to a T,” said Mike Coates, president and CEO of the H+K Americas region. “Add to that his track record of new business successes and cultivating an office culture that was recognized multiple times as a best place to work, and we have found an incredible addition to our U.S. network.”
Krutchik began his career as an attorney with the Los Angeles-based law firm of Barger & Wolen, where he handled primarily business litigation matters. In 1995 he left the practice of law to start Edison Group, a public affairs firm with three additional co-founders that, over a 12-year period, grew from one client with a one-year contract to dozens of clients with peak annual revenues of $6 million. Krutchik joined Allison+Partners in 2009, was named a partner in 2012, and served multiple roles during his tenure there, including GM of the Los Angeles office from 2013 to 2015 as well as the agency’s public affairs practice leader.
He has served as a trusted advisor for a broad range of consumer, corporate, technology, nonprofit, and public sector clients, such as ArcLight Cinemas, General Mills, Lowe’s, 21st Century Insurance, Healthcare Leadership Council, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the California Tobacco Control Program and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.
“I loved my time and my colleagues at Allison+Partners, but the opportunity to join an agency of Hill+Knowlton’s caliber was truly compelling,” Krutchik said. “Like its global reach, H+K’s expertise is limitless, as are its opportunities in public affairs and beyond. I valued Mike’s vision for the agency and appreciated the shared sense of purpose among the senior leaders. I could not be more energized to join the team and help grow the agency’s public affairs practice, West Coast presence, and wherever else I can contribute.”
Krutchik’s appointment is the latest step in a western region ramp-up for H+K. Tali Mackay, head of the U.S. health practice, was appointed head of the H+K U.S. West Region in July. Earlier this month the firm added Ted Donath and his senior consumer marketing expertise to the LA office.
“It has been an exciting time for us in the West as we’ve been adding talent and clients up and down the coast and across sectors,” Mackay said. “Larry embodies our renewed focus on a diversified offering, bringing expertise in public affairs, corporate, crisis, health – the list goes on – and we’re excited to welcome him to our senior leadership in the region.”
Hill+Knowlton Strategies has announced three other senior talent additions to the U.S. in recent weeks. Today the firm also announced that veteran journalist Mark Edgar, a long-time editor for The Dallas Morning News with 30 years of experience focusing on issues at the nexus of business and politics, is joining the firm in Dallas. Jennifer Weldon was recently added to the MarComms team in New York. The firm also announced that Beth Balsam will be joining the firm in the fall as U.S. president and CEO.
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