London-based global marketing and communications agency FINN Partners has named Debbie Flynn, formerly managing partner of FINN Travel Europe, as global travel practice leader. Flynn joined the firm from the Brighter Group, which she founded, led and expanded into one of the most successful and respected travel PR boutiques in the U.K. before its acquisition by FINN in 2018.
“Debbie is FINN’s first global practice leader based outside of the U.S., underscoring our international reach and commitment to travel across three continents,” says Peter Finn, founding partner, FINN. “Debbie’s leadership, highly regarded position as a travel counselor and advisor, and extensive international network, will be instrumental in helping travel and tourism brands build a successful and sustainable roadmap as we move out of Covid-19.”
Building on her successful track record of increasing FINN Travel UK by 70-percent in the last two years (pre-Covid-19), and aligning with the firm’s “One Finn” credo, Flynn will spearhead new mar-comm and business development initiatives across the agency’s existing travel groups in the U.S., Asia and Europe. Her efforts will be fueled by FINN’s own proprietary research and analytics and through collaboration with FINN’s health, wellness, public affairs, technology, and corporate social responsibility practices.
Flynn will also continue to expand the agency’s Global Travel Recovery Network, a collective of top-level travel and tourism experts, thought leaders and influencers, focused on supporting travel destinations and brands in transitioning, recovering and thriving in a post Covid-19 world.
Flynn takes on the global role after a period serving as interim global travel lead beginning in late 2019, when she assumed the position from Gail Moaney, founding managing partner, who stepped down for health reasons in late 2019. Moaney built the FINN Travel practice since its inception almost ten years ago and was instrumental in countless client wins and strategic new hires over the past decade. She is joined by existing Travel practice leadership, which includes managing partners Virginia M. Sheridan, who leads New York, and Cathy Chon, who oversees Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Founded in 2011 on the core principles of innovation and collaborative partnership, FINN Partners has more than quadrupled in size in eight years, becoming one of the fastest growing independent public relations agencies in the world. The full-service marketing and communications company’s record setting pace is a result of organic growth and integrating new companies and new people into the FINN world through a common philosophy. With almost 800 professionals, FINN provides clients with global access and capabilities in the U.S., Europe and Asia. In addition, FINN provides its clients with access to top tier agencies around the world through its membership in the global network PROI. Headquartered in New York, FINN’s other offices are located in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Hong Kong, Fort Lauderdale, Frankfurt, Jerusalem, London, Los Angeles, Munich, Nashville, Orange County, Paris, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Shanghai, Singapore and Washington D.C. For more info, visit finnpartners.com or on Twitter and Instagram at @finnpartners.
