Kekst CNC, the global strategic communications consultancy known for advising Fortune‑500 firms on mergers, activism and crisis management, announced on March 30, 2026 that Lyndsey Estin will serve as Co‑Chief Executive Officer. Estin will head the firm’s U.S. operations, sharing top‑level responsibility with Richard Campbell, who continues to oversee non‑U.S. activities from London. The move follows the departure of Jeremy Fielding, who is transitioning to an in‑house role at a major public company.
A seasoned strategist steps into the co‑CEO role
Estin’s two‑decade tenure at Kekst CNC has been marked by a series of senior leadership positions that broadened the firm’s service portfolio. She helped the consultancy break into emerging fields such as AI communications and cybersecurity, launching the U.S. cybersecurity practice and taking a leading role in AI‑focused advisory work. Those efforts were carried out in partnership with Publicis Groupe, Kekst CNC’s parent company, underscoring a strategic alignment between traditional communications and the tech‑driven services that clients now demand.
“Beyond her decades of experience across financial communications, M&A, and crisis counsel, Lyndsey has established herself as a trusted advisor and leader at the forefront of AI and cybersecurity, earning her the deep trust of her clients, colleagues and industry partners,” said Arthur Sadoun, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Publicis Groupe. “She has been early in recognizing how emerging technologies reshape risk, reputation, and communications, guiding industry leaders as they define their narratives amid rapid internal and external transformation. I know that alongside Richard she will lead the teams to new heights.”
Why the co‑CEO model matters for a consultancy
Kekst CNC’s decision to split the chief executive function between a U.S. and an international leader reflects a broader trend among professional services firms that operate across multiple jurisdictions. By pairing Estin’s deep U.S. market knowledge with Campbell’s global perspective, the firm aims to deliver consistent, locally‑relevant counsel while maintaining a unified strategic direction. The model also signals an intent to balance the growing complexity of technology‑related risk with the traditional financial‑communications expertise that has defined the firm’s brand for more than half a century.
In her opening remarks, Estin highlighted the shifting landscape: “For more than five decades, Kekst CNC has been a leader in strategic communications, helping our clients realize critical business objectives and manage complex challenges. Today, that also means partnering with them through a period of heightened global change driven by technological advancements and other emerging risks and opportunities.” She added that the firm will continue to “deliver the highest level of insights and tailored counsel” across its core services, a promise that aligns with the heightened expectations of tech‑heavy clients seeking both narrative control and risk mitigation.
The AI and cybersecurity angle
The inclusion of AI and cybersecurity in Estin’s portfolio is not incidental. As enterprises adopt generative AI, cloud‑native architectures, and increasingly sophisticated threat vectors, the line between reputation management and technical risk blurs. Strategic communications firms that can translate complex technical issues into clear, stakeholder‑friendly messages are in a position to capture a growing slice of advisory spend.
“Lyndsey has for years provided clients with superior judgment and a unique ability to anticipate what lies ahead,” observed Jeremy Fielding, who is stepping down after 27 years at the firm. “I know that Lyndsey and the Kekst CNC team will continue to be a pioneering force in strategic and financial communications and maintain the singular values that have made our firm the best strategic communications partner for our clients.”
Market implications for clients and competitors
For existing and prospective clients—particularly those in ad tech, fintech, and enterprise software—the appointment offers a point of reassurance. Kekst CNC’s track record in handling high‑stakes M&A, shareholder activism, and crisis scenarios is now bolstered by a leadership team that explicitly acknowledges AI and cybersecurity as core service pillars. Competitors such as Edelman, FleishmanHillard, and Brunswick Group have all been expanding their technology advisory practices; Kekst CNC’s move may accelerate that arms race, prompting a wave of specialized hires and partnership deals across the industry.
The co‑CEO structure also gives the firm flexibility to pursue region‑specific growth. While Campbell will continue to shepherd European, Middle Eastern, and APAC markets, Estin can focus on the United States, where demand for integrated communications‑and‑risk counsel is projected to rise as regulatory scrutiny over data privacy and AI ethics intensifies.
What this means for the ad tech ecosystem
Ad tech firms operate at the intersection of data‑driven marketing, platform regulation, and rapid product cycles. When a strategic‑communications consultancy elevates AI and cybersecurity to board‑level focus, it signals that the sector’s risk profile has reached a tipping point. Companies that rely on programmatic buying, real‑time bidding, or cross‑device attribution will likely seek counsel that can translate technical vulnerabilities into investor‑ready narratives, manage media scrutiny, and navigate potential antitrust investigations.
Kekst CNC’s expanded leadership could therefore become a go‑to resource for ad tech firms looking to protect brand equity while launching innovative products. By offering a blend of financial‑communications rigor and technology‑savvy insights, the firm positions itself as a bridge between the creative, data, and regulatory sides of the industry.
Looking ahead
The transition appears smooth, with Estin publicly thanking Fielding for his “effective leadership as Co‑CEO over the past decade” and for “leading our successful transition from founder generation to an enduring institution.” Such acknowledgments suggest that internal governance and client relationships will remain stable during the handover.
As the firm moves forward, observers will watch how Estin leverages her cybersecurity practice to attract new business, especially from sectors where data breaches can instantly erode market confidence. Likewise, the partnership with Publicis Groupe may enable Kekst CNC to integrate broader marketing platforms capabilities, offering a one‑stop shop for clients who need both messaging strategy and media execution.
In a market where reputation can be made or broken in a single tweet, the combination of seasoned communications expertise and forward‑looking technology advisory could be a decisive competitive advantage.
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