J.J. Carter

A dynamic enterprise leader and active counselor across clients and sectors, J.J. Carter took the role of president and chief executive officer of FleishmanHillard on Oct. 1, 2024. In that capacity, J.J. oversees all aspects of the firm’s operations with a focus on accelerating growth for the company, delivering transformative work for clients, and creating a best-in-class experience for FleishmanHillard employees.

Regarded as a trusted advisor to iconic brands in their biggest moments and on the largest global stages, Carter has counseled clients through IPOs, CEO transitions, groundbreaking product launches, complex mergers and global sponsorship activations. He excels at connecting brand, business strategy, technology and leadership into cohesive narratives that resonate with employees, customers, investors, business partners and media alike.

Prior to being named CEO, J.J. spent eight years as FleishmanHillard’s global chief operating officer and president of the Americas, where he led the agency through a period of unprecedented growth. During that time, the firm distinguished itself as an industry standard-bearer for profitability, inclusion and recognition — earning multiple Agency of the Year accolades from Campaign, PRWeek, ICCO and PRovoke, and topping Best Places to Work lists for LGBTQ+ equality and female executives.

J.J. has been with FleishmanHillard since 2005 and has held a variety of key leadership roles. He previously oversaw FleishmanHillard’s East and West regions in the U.S. along with Canada and Mexico, was general manager of one of the firm’s largest offices in San Francisco, was global client relationship manager for one of the agency’s biggest global accounts, and he launched the agency’s first-ever sports marketing practice. During his time at the agency, he has also recruited transformative leaders across key markets, global accounts and practice areas.

As an active counselor, J.J. provided guidance for the NBA’s international expansion into China, and led global accounts with Visa, Nike’s Jordan Brand, Callaway Golf, the Women’s Tennis Association Tour, Electronic Arts and GoPro Inc., which included overseeing communications for its initial public offering — experience he later applied when Fitbit went public.

He is also a veteran communicator of nine Olympic Games, having led work for national governing bodies, including the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association; sponsorship programs on behalf of Visa Inc., Alibaba Group and BMW North America; and major event work for individual athletes, among them international media events with the world’s most decorated Olympian, Michael Phelps.

J.J. was twice recognized as FleishmanHillard Client Relationship Manager of the Year, earned the firm’s prestigious John D. Graham Award for Excellence and was named to PRWeek’s 40 Under 40 list.

Before joining FleishmanHillard, J.J. was an accomplished global leader in sports marketing and communications.

As director of PR for the Association of Tennis Professionals, the international governing body of men’s professional tennis, he managed media relations, event operations, and crisis management for players, tournaments, and tour executives. He was responsible for introducing Swiss superstar Roger Federer to the American public during his ascension to the world No. 1 ranking.

Leading PR for the NBA’s Detroit Pistons, J.J. was the team’s primary contact for all communications matters, and directed all appearances related to media, sponsorship, and community initiatives. He provided counsel to numerous NBA all-stars including Grant Hill, Jerry Stackhouse and Ben Wallace, and helped transition Pistons legendary player Joe Dumars to team president in 1999. J.J. also served as a consultant on all events at the Palace of Auburn Hills, one of the nation’s most profitable entertainment venues. Among those events were the NCAA Regional Basketball Tournament, Heavyweight Championship Boxing, WNBA, Arena Football and more.

J.J. began his career with the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, where some of his early contributions included the Rookie of the Year campaign for Jason Kidd, launching the team’s first-ever digital presence on NBA.com, and supporting the successful public funding referendum for construction of American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas. While with the Mavericks, he provided ongoing media coaching to NBA MVPs Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki, as well as Hall of Fame coach Don Nelson.

A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, J.J. earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and mass communication with a concentration in public relations. In 2023, he spearheaded the creation of the Carter-Tinson gallery at the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media, featuring the “Rising Voices” exhibit which shines a light on work that’s contributing to the public discourse around underrepresented voices and social change. In 2024, J.J. was inducted into the North Carolina Media & Journalism Hall of Fame.