June 27, 2011 – William Warren, a career communications strategist with broad-ranging experience in journalism, government and global corporate communications, will join the University of Utah (the U) as its first chief marketing and communications officer (CMCO), effective June 27. The new cabinet-level position is responsible for marketing, public relations and community relations for the institution.
Warren will report to the president of the university, a post now held on an interim basis by A. Lorris Betz.
“Bill Warren brings to the university valuable strategic expertise and experience with nationally recognized firms at an important time in our history,” says Betz. “We are very fortunate to be able to attract somebody with his skills to lead our marketing and communications team as the university continues to grow in stature.”
Warren moves to Utah from New York City, where he served as vice president of communications at CA Technologies, one of the largest independent software corporations in the world. During his eight years at CA Technologies, he oversaw a wide range of functions, including government affairs, community relations, executive communications, and internal communications. For the past three years, he managed external and internal communications for the company’s diverse business units and its global research and development organization.
“The University of Utah is an institution on the move and I am fortunate to be joining when the cadence of exciting news is accelerating,” says Warren. “The U should be recognized by prospective students, alumni and the broader public for its impressive record of achievement and outstanding prospects for continued growth. A focused, coordinated marketing and communications program will play an important role in ensuring that recognition.”
Prior to CA, Warren was vice president of marketing communications for the Coca-Cola Company, where he helped design and execute the company’s worldwide marketing programs.
Warren also has served in senior communications roles at MCI, ARCO, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and as chief speechwriter to former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. He has worked as a consultant on political campaigns and published articles in The New York Times on national education issues.
“Bill’s broad and deep experience in marketing and communication will be of great benefit to the U as we move into the Pac 12,” says Fred Esplin, vice president for institutional advancement. “I’m confident he has what it takes to help the university become more sophisticated and competitive in our student recruitment, and as we look to engage more of our alumni and friends in investing in the university.”
Warren holds masters degrees from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and Rice University, and a bachelor of arts degree with honors from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. He and his wife Patricia Rohrer, who holds a doctorate from Columbia University and has taught at City University of New York (CUNY), New York University (NYU), Teachers College at Columbia University, and Barnard College, have two children, Simon and Jaspar.