ATLANTA — Porter Novelli has elevated Ayanna Robinson to the newly-created role of global chief client officer, after nearly 20 years with the firm.

Robinson had been Atlanta corporate and reputation management practice head and EVP since joining Porter Novelli in 2001, leading assignments for some of the agency’s biggest clients, including Bayer Crop Science, Centers for Disease Control, Mars Drinks and Habitat for Humanity.

David Bentley, the former McKinsey VP who became CEO of Porter Novelli in March said: “For nearly 20 years, Ayanna has worked diligently to counsel and nurture our clients and our people. She has proven her ability to foster growth while also making a positive impact at Porter Novelli and in her communities. She is unwavering in her commitment to success and she is the ideal person to help us forge a new path for the Chief Client Officer role.”

Robinson told PRovoke Media that her ambition for the next chapter of her career at Porter Novelli was to “create best in class relationships and transform how we collaborate and work with clients.”

She said: “We recognise that they are under so much pressure and struggling with the weight of what’s happening in the world, and are having to transform their businesses. They need strong partners to walk alongside them.

“This role is an opportunity to elevate client relationships by bringing more cross connection in how our teams work together, and how we make connections and bring new partners together to solve challenges that individual businesses can no longer tackle alone. It’s well beyond the transactional nature of CSR; it’s our purpose to help clients make an impact in the world beyond being profitable and successful.”

Robinson added that she would be working with colleagues across the business: “We have a strong mid-level team of VPs providing the day-to-day service to clients, who are rich with ideas and I’m excited about cultivating that talent.”

It is the first time Porter Novelli has had a global chief client officer; it has had similar roles in the past, although not with the breadth of Robinson’s remit.

Katherine Wetzel, who was global director of client relations, was with Porter Novelli for 13 years before leaving in May 2019 for CVS health insurer Aetna, where she is head of communications. Before Wetzel, Nick Propper served as chief operating officer and chief client officer before joining J&J as a performance coach in the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute.