LOS ANGELES, August 22—The MWW Group, based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is intent on earning respect as a national agency. In recent years it has expanded into Washington, D.C., and New York City, established itself as a market leader in Seattle, and acquired one of Chicago’s top public affairs firms. Now it’s making a move in Los Angeles, naming a new senior vice president and announcing a major addition to its client roster.
 
David Herbst, formerly an executive vice president at American Standard Development Company, is joining MWW at the same time that the real estate development company—owned by Democratic Party stalwart Bob Abernethy—joins MWW’s client list. American Standard has developed over 30 commercial and industrial projects in Southern California over the last twenty years and is currently completing the Redondo Information Technology Center in Redondo Beach.
 
According to MWW chief executive Michael Kempner, “David is known throughout greater Los Angeles for his outstanding skills and expertise in crisis communications, land use planning and real estate development. He will be an integral part of the leadership of MWW's Los Angeles office as well as an asset to the agency's national public affairs and crisis communications practices.”
 
Herbst is best known for his work as vice president of corporate affairs at Playa Vista, a major urban in-fill real estate development underway, located on the west side of Los Angeles. At Playa Vista, he created and managed the development’s corporate affairs division, encompassing the disciplines of public affairs, governmental affairs, environmental and community affairs. 
 
MWW’s L.A. operations are run by Harvey Englander, whose firm—formerly part of The Kamber Group—was acquired by MWW three years ago. MWW is itself a subsidiary of Golin/Harris International, a division of Interpublic.