ISTANBUL--Weber Shandwick has entered Turkey and Kuwait, establishing new operations in the two countries. 

In Turkey, the firm has hired Seda Yalcin as CEO from Grayling. Yalcin brings a decade's experience in public relations and public affairs, spanning Turkey and, at the EU level, Brussels. After working with FusionTel in Turkey, Yalcin moved to Brussels for a role with the European Commission, before spending time at Interel.

In 2010, Yalcin returned to Turkey to take on a senior role with Grayling, first heading the public affairs practice and then taking on a broader agency leadership role. 

In Kuwait, meanhwile, the new Weber Shandwick operation will be led by GM Rosie Muhanna. The launch brings the number of branded Weber Shandwick offices in the Middle East to five, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Egypt.

"We are delighted to expand our EMEA network further in growth markets," said Colin Byrne, Weber Shandwick’s EMEA CEO.