Former NIRI chair Brad Wilks swaps Sard Verbinnen for MSLGROUP

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.  

Brad WilksWilks, 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.

Upcoming events

  • Forum & Awards – South East Asia
    Tuesday, December 2, 2025

    Forum & Awards – South East Asia

    Building trust and driving impact: Redefining investor relations in South East Asia Investor Relations in South East Asia is at a turning point. Regulatory fragmentation, macroeconomic volatility and the growing importance of retail investors require IROs to strategically analyze and reform traditional practices. The ability to deliver transparent, dependable and…

    Singapore
  • Briefing – The value of IR in an increasingly passive investment landscape
    Wednesday, December 3, 2025

    Briefing – The value of IR in an increasingly passive investment landscape

    In partnership with WHEN 8.00 am PT / 11.00 am ET / 4.00 pm GMT / 5.00 pm CET DURATION 45 minutes About the event Explore how IR teams can adapt to the rise of passive investing while effectively measuring and communicating their impact. As index funds and ETFs reshape…

    Online
  • Forum & Awards – Greater China
    Thursday, December 4, 2025

    Forum & Awards – Greater China

    Adapting to change in Greater China: IR strategies for a sustainable, digital and global era The investor relations landscape in Greater China is being reshaped by rapid technological advances, growing ESG expectations, tighter budgets and increasing geopolitical pressures. Digital tools such as automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are transforming how…

    Hong Kong SAR

Explore

Andy White, Freelance WordPress Developer London