Mark Regev Appointed Israel PM Olmert PR Foreign Media Advisor

By Joel Leyden
Israel News Agency

Jerusalem ----- December 2, 2007 ....... The Israel Prime Minister's Office, the Israel Foreign Ministry and the Israel Government Press Office announced today that Israel Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mark Regev has been appointed as the Prime Minister's Foreign Press and Public Affairs Adviser replacing IDF Col. Miri Eisin (res.). Eisen is stepping down after a year and a half in her position. During her position as the Prime Minister's chief PR consul, she became one of the most recognizable faces in the foreign media. The new, chief governmental public relations position takes place as of today.

Mark Regev has previously served as the spokesman at the Israel embassies in Washington and Beijing. Prime Minister Olmert expressed his appreciation for Eisin's work with the foreign media and wished both her and Regev well in their new endeavors.

"Mark Regev may be able to do what no other public relations or Israel Pr person has done before him. Knowing the people, the diplomats and how the Israel Foreign Ministry works, to become an effective bridge between the Foreign Ministry and the Prime Ministers Office. Mark's unique and professional background can translate his new position into one which unifies both governmental offices delivering one rather than several different messages during times of crisis."

Mark Regev assumes this new post after serving at the Israel Foreign Ministry for several years and before that for five years as Spokesman at the Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C. Since 1991, Regev held a variety of positions at the Israel Foreign Ministry, including Deputy Chief of Mission at the Israel Consulate General in Hong Kong, Spokesman at the Embassy in Beijing and at the Jordan Division at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Jerusalem.

Mark Regev participated in the Annapolis peace conference as part of the Israel Foreign Ministry's public relations delegation.

Following the Middle East Peace summit, Regev is expected to move from the Israel Foreign Ministry to the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem.

Prior to joining the Israel Foreign Ministry, Mark Regev taught International Relations and Strategy at the Israel Defense Forces' Staff College.

Mark Regev received his Bachelor's degree in History and Political Science at Melbourne University, Australia. Regev holds a Master's degree in Political Science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem as well as a Master of Science in Management from Boston University.

In 2006, Regev was very active in explaining Israel's actions in its defensive war with Hizbollah in Southern Lebanon and Palestinian terrorists in Gaza through media outlets in the English-speaking world.

This writer has had the pleasure of working with Mark. He is not a bureaucrat, rather a finely tuned and dedicated PR professional. Dedicated to the state of Israel and dedicated to enhancing Israel's image abroad. Regev is honest and can easily take down anyone who tries to spin him or the State of Israel.
He knows the art of public relations, public affairs, crisis communications and can spit out effective and potent soundbytes without sleep. He has never shown an arrogant face as opposed to many others in government. He has always been open to learning new issues, understanding their details and placing a priority on media training knowing that one can always improve themselves.

Mark is an articulate and demanding person. On himself and on those who surround him. He aims for perfection in his media work for Israel and often attains it. He can smile and yet bite hard in a second's notice. Mark Regev is the right person at the right time for Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the State of Israel. Let's wish him much luck and pass the coffee.

Mark Regev has a counter part at the Israel Government Press Office. Danny (Daniel) Seaman has been the director of the Government Press Office for several years. Seaman has been honest, brave, creative, outspoken and on target in addressing many of the challenging issues which have and continue to confront Israel. With Regev and Seaman working together, Israel today will have a powerful and potent public relations team. A professional team unmatched since Abba Eban represented the State.

Lastly, Mark Regev may be able to do what no other public relations or Israel Pr person has done before him.
Knowing the people, the diplomats and how the Israel Foreign Ministry works, to become an effective bridge between the Foreign Ministry and the Prime Ministers Office. Mark's unique and professional background can translate his new position into one which unifies both governmental offices delivering one rather than several different messages during times of crisis.

Ehud Olmert has made a brilliant, intelligent and creative public relations move on behalf of the State for which he serves.

Mark Regev is married and has three children.