Walmart Taps Former Bush Adviser As Top PR Exec

Walmart has hired Dan Bartlett, the head of public-relations firm Hill & Knowlton's U.S. unit, as exec VP-corporate affairs. Mr. Bartlett, 41, who also worked on former President George W. Bush's presidential and Texas gubernatorial campaigns, will start in late June, Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart said today in a statement. He will oversee external communications, government relations, sustainability and the Walmart Foundation, the company said. Mr. Bartlett replaces Leslie A. Dach, a former Democratic strategist, who announced he was leaving in March. Mr. Dach had previously held senior positions in Democratic presidential campaigns and handled work for the Clinton administration. He also was vice chairman of Edelman, a global public-relations firm. According to a statement from Walmart, Mt. Bartlett will report to President-CEO Mike Duke and will serve as a member of the company's executive council. His responsibilities will include oversight of external communications, government relations and sustainability, as well as the Walmart Foundation. Hill & Knowlton Strategies promoted Andy Weitz to succeed Mr. Bartlett as U.S. president and CEO. Mr. Bartlett was named U.S. CEO of Hill & Knowlton after WPP merged the agency with public affairs shop Public Strategies in 2010. Prior to the merger, he had served as president and CEO of Public Strategies since 2008. Wal-Mart was little changed at $77.42 at 11:21 a.m. in New York. The shares had gained 13% this year through yesterday, compared with a 17% gain for the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. -- Written with Bloomberg News

Walmart Taps Former Bush Adviser As Top PR Exec

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