Mauricio Ferro Appointed as Global Director of Crisis Management at PROI Independent Public Relations Network

PROI has announced the appointment of Mauricio Ferro, a Colombian professional, as Global Director of Crisis Management at PROI, the world’s largest organization of independent public relations agencies.

PROI is recognized globally for leading innovation in methodologies and technological advancements within a rapidly evolving industry. In a world where constant adaptation is crucial — driven by the advent of Artificial Intelligence, the surge of fake news, bots, trolls, avatars, and other digital entities — PROI continues to set the pace for effective communication strategies across the globe.

Mauricio Ferro, an alumnus of CESA and the Darla School of Management Columbia, South Carolina, and mentee of Miguel Silva Pinzón, former Managing Director at Weber Shandwick and FTI, has been a leader within PROI, consistently consulted by C-Level executives of major corporations throughout Latin America, Spain, and the US for his expertise in strategic communication. His career spans over 25 years of delivering impactful insights and materials that support media and public relations efforts.

He has served as a trusted advisor to six ministers of state during a period when such roles commanded significant respect. Through his creativity and resourcefulness, Mauricio has helped shape the positioning and protect the reputation of hundreds of brands, companies, and organizations.

Earlier in his career, Mauricio founded Position Comunicaciones, pioneering social listening algorithms in Colombia. Coming from Microsoft, his natural affinity for technology enabled his team to adapt and parameterize Radian6 software in Spanish, positioning the agency as a regional leader. This innovation attracted multiple international companies seeking strategic partnerships.

In 2015, Edelman Worldwide acquired his agency, recognizing its innovative methodologies and technological edge, appointing Mauricio as the first Edelman President in Colombia.

In 2020, Mauricio launched his current venture, TANK, which has distinguished itself globally through advanced crisis management solutions and immersive training using hyper-realistic Virtual Reality technology — services that are unparalleled in Colombia and abroad. His participation in an expert panel in Stresa, Italy, convened by PROI, exemplifies his leadership and innovation on the international stage.

Today, TANK exports services to multiple countries in diverse sectors, including finance, technology, healthcare, and energy, driven by Mauricio’s innovative approach and Colombia’s top-tier development talent.
His contributions have been recognized internationally; he has been featured in Forbes USA, and in 2014, PRovoke Media named him among their “Innovators25” for pioneering industry innovations.

TANK’s portfolio includes AI-driven tools such as PRejavú, a virtual reality and AI platform for accelerated executive training, a predictive software that analyzes the potential impact of online posts and news, and an advanced digital media buying system optimized through AI and data analytics — all designed to reduce costs for clients and enhance lead targeting.

Mauricio emphasizes that TANK has invested over five years in AI development, well before the widespread recognition of ChatGPT’s capabilities. Since 2023, the full suite of products, now matured and proven, has been exported internationally, showcasing 100% Colombian technology.

In circumstances where companies face reputation and positioning challenges — from stock markets and extractive industries to technology and healthcare sectors — Mauricio’s strategic insights, rooted in extensive experience and data-driven analysis, prove invaluable. This has positioned TANK as one of the most innovative and trusted firms in the communications industry globally.

Global Director of Crisis Management at PROI, Mauricio Ferro. Photo credit: PROI.