gci media releases

GCI Group welcomes Michael Ras

August 16, 2011 | gci news

Leading Canadian public relations and public affairs company GCI Group, is pleased to welcome Michael Ras as a Vice President on the public affairs team, based in GCI’s Toronto office.  With his extensive background in public affairs at all three levels of government, Michael adds a breadth of experience across a wide-variety of industries.  He also brings additional expertise to GCI  in strategic planning, issue and crisis management and stakeholder outreach engagements. 

“Michael will assist in supporting the continued growth of our  public affairs practice across Canada, but particularly here in the GTA”, GCI’s President, Marion MacKenzie said, “Michael’s provincial and municipal public affairs experience and acumen compliments our strong federal government level offering. Clients will benefit from the new perspectives and insights he brings to the challenges and opportunities within the current environment.”

Ras joins GCI Group from the Ivey Centre for Health Innovation and Leadership where he served as Director of Development and Stakeholder Relations. His focus was on building the Ivey Centre into a nationally recognized institution examining Canadian and international health innovation and leadership development.  Prior to his time at the Ivey Centre, Ras was a public affairs consultant with a number of agencies over a 14 year span. He has worked on a wide variety of files specializing in the technology industry, public-private partnerships, energy, and industrial sectors. 

“I look forward to working with Michael on the complex challenges faced by our clients, and as we build our practice in markets across Canada, but especially in Ontario and the GTA ,” said Senior Vice President for Public Affairs David Pratt.

Michael has an undergraduate degree in Political Science from Wilfrid Laurier University and is currently a member of the Board of KINSA – the Kids’ Internet Safety Alliance. He remains an active volunteer on local political campaigns. 

He resides in Mississauga, will work out of GCI’s Toronto office, but will frequently be in Ottawa to meet and service clients there.

About GCI Group

GCI Group is a Canadian leader in the public relations industry with deep expertise in the areas of consumer, healthcare, technology, corporate communications and social media. GCI Group services a broad client base, combining the aggressiveness and agility of a specialty boutique with the depth and breadth of a dynamic multinational agency. GCI is a member of the WPP Group of companies, one of the world's leading communications families.

GCI Group has always been committed to building a team of talented people who are challenged to achieve and exceed their career goals while working in an environment that fosters innovation and excellence. For more information, visit www.gcicanada.com.

For further information, please contact:
Carolyn Schulz
GCI Group
(416) 486-7272
carolyn.schulz@gcicanada.com