NEW YORK — Edelman has made two senior hires to its growing financial services business, adding Katie Spring in Chicago and Russ Messner in New York.

The new hires aim support the depth of counsel to the firm's asset management, banking, insurance, exchange and market center and payment industry clients. 

Spring, who stepped down as Citadel CCO last year, will report to Kevin Cook, Edelman COO in Chicago, and also serve as Midwest leader for Edelman's financial communications specialty practice, providing counsel and support for M&A transactions, investor relations, shareholder activism and IPOs. 

Spring, who also worked at USAA earlier in her career, succeeds Jeff Zilka, who will become a senior counselor at Edelman, serving US clients in financial communications, investor relations and strategic transactions. 

Meanwhile, Messner will report to Edelman's New York corporate/PA MD David Melancon. He joins the firm after most recently serving as global MD at Ogilvy & Mather. He has also worked at McGarryBowen, BBDO and DDB. 

"Katie and Russ' experience providing counsel to global, premium financial service brands better enables us to solve client needs and help clients meet the future," said Deidre Campbell, global chair of Edelman's financial services sector. "

With New York and Chicago serving as Edelman's two largest US markets, the firm has seen double-digit growth from its financial services practice in each of the three years since it was established, Campbell added. She noted that this growth required them to think more broadly about client needs and the kind of integration they require in their offerings. 

"Our growth is mainly from global clients that need a global footprint and deep subject matter services for their business. With fierce competition on the digital front, practitioners and specialists understand the myriad of services needed, not just traditional PR, to keep up pace with technology," said Campbell. 

She also noted that clients recognize the need to communicate with consumers directly, leaning towards a more human voice, creating two-way communication for a deeper relationship. 

"The additions of Katie and Russ demonstrate Edelman's commitment to bring top notch specialists to financial services and financial communications clients across the United States," added  Russell Dubner, president and CEO of Edelman US.

Edelman's global financial services practice comprises 350 executives in 33 offices around the world.