I am pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Bennett as the new vice president and chief communications officer of American University effective June 24, 2019.

In this role, Matt will oversee AU’s communications, marketing, and branding efforts and lead our division of University Communications and Marketing and its cross-functional team of communications and marketing professionals who support engagement across the university. He will guide how AU communicates both externally and internally to ensure we tell AU’s story to advance our priorities.

Matt comes to AU from the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), where he was executive vice president, global communications. During his tenure, he led MPAA’s worldwide communications and digital enterprise, providing strategic counsel and support to the policy, legal, and content protection operations within MPAA.

Prior to MPAA, Matt served as senior vice president and managing director of the Washington, DC, office for Racepoint Global, an international public relations firm. He previously held positions as the senior vice president of communications and public affairs for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), and as senior vice president for GolinHarris, leading the PR firm’s health practice in the District of Columbia.

Matt brings with him a passion for our AU family. A double-Eagle who earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the School of Public Affairs, he knows our character, shares our values as a community, and sees the incredible potential of AU.

I also want to take a moment to thank our colleagues in University Communications and Marketing. Over the past few months, they have worked tirelessly through a time of transition. We’re grateful for their service to our community, and Matt is fortunate to have such a committed staff as he begins his tenure at AU.

Please join me in congratulating and welcoming Matt as he returns to American University.