GRAND RAPIDS, MI— Mark Bain, a veteran of senior communications positions at Baker & McKenzie, Amway, and Burson-Marsteller, has launched upper 90 consulting, a new firm providing professional development for communications managers and leaders.

Bain is partnering with former colleague Emily Litton Caldon, who helped to design, launch and build Amway’s One by One Campaign for Children.

Upper 90 offers assessment, planning and coaching services specifically geared to the professional development of senior communications executives. According to Bain: “With globalization, social media and other developments rapidly transforming business and communications, upper 90 will help senior communications leaders adapt, grow and thrive by focusing on the management, leadership and interpersonal skills needed to contribute in the C-suite.

“The top people in our field have exceptional communications skills. But today, these leaders also need to be experts in business strategy, process management, data mining, corporate finance, talent management and more to build trust and retain influence in their organizations.”

Initially, upper 90 will offer three primary services: professional management and leadership development for CCOs and their deputies; a competency and values-driven approach to developing high-performing teams; and advice on designing and structuring the communications functions.

Prior to forming upper 90, Bain was global director of communications for Baker & McKenzie, the world’s largest law firm, where he was responsible for all internal and external communications worldwide. Previously, he was vice president, corporate communications worldwide for Alticor, the parent company of Amway. He started his career with Burson-Marsteller.