NEW YORK, September 17—Hill & Knowlton has named David Langston, most recently the principal of his own consulting business, senior managing director of its national employee communications group. He replaces Max Caldwell, who has left to join Towers Perrin, a benefits consulting firm. Langston will be based in New York, and report to New York General Manager Philip Sheldon.
 
Langston will direct an employee communications team of more than 20 professionals in eight H&K U.S. offices, counseling clients on internal communications issues such as organizational change, restructuring, downsizing, mergers and acquisitions and brand alignment. He will also work closely with the firm’s labor relations practice.
 
“David brings a considerable amount of energy, passion and enthusiasm to the practice of employee communications, as well as a proven ability to develop strong client relationships,” says Harlan Teller, who heads the firm’s corporate practice, which includes the employee communications group. “He has spent a great deal of time studying employee communications in a brand context, and we think his combination of marketing expertise and creativity will result in the development of a function that is truly differentiated from our competitors.”
 
Langston spent the last six years as principal in his own consulting business, Langston Marketing Communications, which focused on branding. Among his efforts was the launch of the electric utility industry’s first energy services brand, EnergyOne, for Utilicorp United.  Prior to that, he spent seven-years as senior vice president and creative director in Burson-Marsteller’s New York office.