Acadiana Business

Russo opens NY office, welcomes Johnston

by Walter Pierce

Greystone will serve as the public relations arm of The Russo Group. Jeff Johnston, founder and CEO of Greystone, is joining Russo in its Lafayette headquarters and will serve as executive vice president/senior brand strategist. Lafayette branding/communications agency The Russo Group is expanding its own brand to New York via a newly announced strategic alliance with The Greystone Project, a New York marketing and communications firm. Greystone will serve as the public relations arm of The Russo Group. In addition, Jeff Johnston, founder and CEO of Greystone and a Louisiana native, is joining Russo in its Lafayette headquarters and will serve as executive vice president/senior brand strategist.

In a press release announcing the partnership, Johnston says the relationship between the companies is a good fit. "From the moment I met [Russo co-owner] Jaci Russo it was clear that our aggressive pro-client philosophies were in sync and our combined backgrounds could do much for our clients and our own mutual growth. And, coming home to my native Louisiana has been a long time goal."

Johnston's clients have included Sylvania, Siemens, Royal Olympic Cruise Lines, Mirage Resorts, The Culinary Institute of America, Disney, CeeLite, Symmons, British Telecom, the World Forum on Democracy and the New York Jets.

"We are thrilled to be working with Jeff and the team at Greystone," Russo says. "Their public relations capabilities and media contacts fit well with our branding experience and having a New York office gives us a deeper national presence as well as close proximity to the world's media on behalf of our clients."