Cynthia Round Named Metropolitan Museum’s New Senior Vice President, Marketing and External Relations Elyse Topalian Continues as Vice President for Communications; Harold Holzer to Assume New Title of Senior Vice President for Public Affairs

Thomas P. Campbell, Director and CEO of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, announced today the appointment of Cynthia Round to the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Marketing and External Relations. Ms. Round will join the Museum on June 3.

Ms. Round has served since 2002 as executive vice president of brand marketing and strategy for the nation’s largest privately-supported nonprofit, United Way Worldwide, where she has been responsible for global brand stewardship, its national website, communications, marketing, research, and volunteer and online engagement for some 1800 United Way chapters in more than 40 countries. Previously, she held major advertising and marketing positions as senior partner and executive group director at Ogilvy & Mather and, earlier, as a brand manager at Procter & Gamble.

A graduate of Oklahoma State University (which recognized her with a distinguished alumni award in 1995), Ms. Round has lectured widely on global branding and social marketing on campuses throughout the country. She has also served on the boards of the Advertising Educational Foundation, the Advisory Committee of the Ad Council, and on charities and public sector arts organizations including Soho Repertory Theater, which she chaired for ten years.

“We are delighted to welcome Cynthia Round as the Museum’s new chief of marketing and brand strategy,” commented Mr. Campbell. “In a period when the Met is ever broadening its global reach, widening its constituent base, and securing a steadily growing base of support on its website, this highly regarded and inventive professional is the perfect choice to further enhance the Met image and continue building its international brand. All of us look forward to welcoming her to the executive team and working closely with her on the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Emily K. Rafferty, President of the Museum, to whom Ms. Round will directly report, commented: “The Met identified Cynthia Round after an international search, and her appointment reflects our confidence that we have recruited a highly respected professional for our ranks, as well as our belief that global marketing will play an increasing role in our efforts to build audiences not only at the Museum itself but across our online platforms.”

At the Museum, Cynthia Round will oversee marketing, market research, tourism, and internal communications. Also reporting to her will be communications and advertising, which will remain under the direction of Elyse Topalian, Vice President for Communications.

Effective June 3, Harold Holzer will assume the new role of Senior Vice President for Public Affairs, reporting to the Museum's President, in which he will continue to oversee government affairs, audience development, and visitor services. He will remain the chief spokesperson for the Museum on strategic issues.

Commented Cynthia Round: “It is a great privilege to join the executive team of the Met to help build this powerful brand around the world.”

Ms. Round lives in Manhattan with her husband and daughter.