SHANGHAI—Over 12 years as head of FleishmanHillard’s Asia-Pacific operations, Lynne Anne Davis has taken the St Louis-based firm from a minor regional player to a powerhouse with 19 owned offices, a strong and stable leadership team, and a roster of clients that incudes major multinationals, large Asia-based companies and governments, a performance that makes her a worthy recipient for one of our SABRE Awards for Individual Achievement.

Davis will be presented with the award at our annual SABRE Awards dinner, which takes place this year at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Shanghai on September 18.

“What Lynne Anne has accomplished for our firm can’t be overstated,” says Dave Senay, president and CEO of FleishmanHillard. “Originally a St. Louis staffer, she raised her hand in 1997 to move to Hong Kong for a ‘one year assignment.’ Soon after we named her Hong Kong GM and then president of Asia Pacific. 

“Under her leadership, we have grown from a small APAC network into a regional powerhouse, deep in talent.  Her knowledge of the region, track record on client service, and ability to attract and develop great people are all second to none.”

Davis has presided over an expansion that now encompasses 19 owned offices, 15 of which are start-ups, and 15 of which are run by native market leaders. Over the last 10 years, the firm’s Asia-Pacific network has been built entirely through organic growth, not only doubling the number of offices, but quadrupling revenues, thanks in large part to a deeply ingrained, collaborative culture and entrepreneurial spirit. 

Says Davis, “FleishmanHillard gave me the privilege to work in the most exciting place on the planet, and to help build one of the best networks in our industry at a time when strategic communications has become more respected than ever as a business force. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t marvel at what our leaders achieve, and pause to appreciate what our clients and teams make possible. It is their success and contributions that make life so rewarding.”

Davis joined the agency at its U.S. headquarters and transferred to Asia 15 years ago, taking up region-wide responsibilities in 2001. The agency was named “Asia Pacific Network of the Year” four times by three different industry authorities since 2004.

She also led the establishment of FleishmanHillard’s Global China Practice and a China Masters Exchange Program in partnership with Stanford University, George Washington University, London School of Economics and Washington University.