Former head of US-China Business Council joins Burson-Marsteller as strategic advisor

Kapp has led the US-China Business Council for nearly 11 years. In that role he engaged frequently with American and Chinese government leaders, policy specialists, corporations and agencies. In 2000, Kapp played a part in the effort to pass US legislation to establish 'Permanent Normal Trade Relations' treatment for China.

He will now report to Daisy King, managing director and head of BM's US-China Specialty Group, based in New York. “Bob brings his extensive relationships in government, business and non-governmental organisations on both sides of the Pacific," said King. "He will greatly enhance our mission to provide value-added services to US clients doing business in China and [vice versa].” 

In his new role, Kapp will help with the development of overall strategy and new capability of the group. He will assist with counseling current and prospective clients, and expand the group’s relationships with key industry opinion leaders.

Kapp commented, “Companies in both countries must approach their commercial engagements with determination and sensitivity.”

Kapp  served as president of the Washington Council on International Trade before assuming leadership of the US-China Business Council. He has a doctorate in modern Chinese history from Yale University and he was the founding executive director of the Washington State China Relations Council. 

He also maintains his own consulting practice, Robert A Kapp & Associates and serves on a number of non-profit boards in the same field. 

In addition to Burson-Marsteller, Fleishman Hillard and Ogilvy Public Relations also have offerings intended to create bridges between US and Chinese multinationals.