Facebook hires Blue Rubicon boss as European comms chief

Facebook has announced the appointment of Chris Norton as its new comms director for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, effective as of January 4th 2016.

Mr Norton, who is currently the managing director of Blue Rubicon, will end his seven-year association with the agency in order to take up his new role with the social network, reports PRWeek.

Prior to joining Blue Rubicon in 2008, Mr Norton was a special adviser to health secretary Alan Johnson. In his new role at Facebook, he will preside over a team that includes current EMEA comms chief Stefano Hesse, who will remain with the company.

Blue Rubicon has handled PR for Facebook for five years, including a corporate contract previously held by Edelman that was won last year.

Gordon Tempest-Hay, Blue Rubicon's chief executive, said: "While we're sad to see him go, we're delighted that he is moving to become one of our clients and that we will continue to work together for many years to come."