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William S. Stewart

President and Managing Partner

William Stewart is President of STEWART and PARTNERS and an expert in the specialized field of communications research. His core areas of focus are message development and strategy, branding and reputation, issues management and quick-turnaround crisis research. He has counseled a wide range of clients, including direct dialogue with CEOs of several major corporations

Prior to the 2009 launch of STEWART and PARTNERS, William was a senior vice president and partner with Fleishman-Hillard International Communications, one the largest and most respected public relations firms in the world. As the agency’s global head of research, he guided a 25-person research team that supported the company and its clients in more than 80 offices around the world. In this role, he personally managed numerous important projects, including highly strategic research studies for Ameren, Amgen, AT&T, Citadel Investment Group, Kodak, Papa John’s, PepsiCo and Shell. William continues to enjoy a close relationship with Fleishman-Hillard and serves as a senior consultant to the agency.

As the top research executive within a global PR firm, William became extremely well-versed in communications measurement, evaluation and ROI models. Under his leadership, his team developed new integrated products and solutions for monitoring not just traditional media, but the burgeoning social media landscape as well.

International research is another area where William dedicates substantial time and energy. He has traveled the globe as a research consultant for projects in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. He has successfully completed qualitative and quantitative research studies in more than 60 countries, including places like Iran and Kurdistan. He’s also directly advised presidential candidates in Greece, Guatemala and the Philippines.

William started his career in research with The Tarrance Group, one of the nation’s leading political polling firms. During this period, he rose to become one of the top research consultants to the tobacco industry as it faced unprecedented litigation from nearly every attorney general in the United States. Hired by London-based British American Tobacco and its U.S. subsidiary, William conducted numerous research studies to help these companies navigate challenging public opinion in order to meet their business objectives. This work involved everything from message strategy and brand positioning, to corporate social responsibility and youth smoking prevention.

A native of Sacramento, Calif., William moved east to attend The George Washington University, where he earned a degree in international affairs. He has taken graduate coursework in statistics, plus executive MBA classes on branding, competitive strategy and leadership. He currently serves on an advisory board at Southern Illinois University’s Graduate School of Business. William resides in Missouri with his wife and two children. He splits his time between St. Louis and Washington, D.C.