Earlier this month, we learned that legendary Global News legislative reporter Richard Zussman would be leaving his post, but we didn’t know where he was going.
The answer to that looming question has now been answered.
Zussman has joined the Burson British Columbia team and has been named Burson’s vice president of public affairs, after announcing his Global News departure on Nov. 6.
“A highly respected and recognizable figure in British Columbia politics and media, Zussman brings nearly two decades of unparalleled experience in political reporting and deep understanding of the provincial and federal landscape,” a press release from Hill & Knowlton states.
Hill & Knowlton and BCW merged in 2024 to create Burson.
Zussman was Global’s legislative reporter for the last eight years and president of the B.C. Legislature Press Gallery for the last six.
Burson is a global PR and communications firm which has its headquarters in New York City at the World Trade Center. The firm employs over 6,000 people.
The communications firm does PR for clients like multinational corporations and government agencies. Some of Burson’s clients include Heineken, Adidas Canada, Google Canada, and more.
Burson’s Canadian operation is fairly new, having launched in Canada earlier this year.
“After a career immersed in the political narratives of Western Canada, I am incredibly excited to transition into a role where I can apply that knowledge and experience to directly support some of Canada’s leading organizations in achieving their advocacy goals,” Zussman was quoted in the release.
Zussman won several awards as a reporter and also co-authored a book titled A Matter of Confidence.
“Joining a global-reaching firm like Burson, which includes the Hill & Knowlton brand’s trusted public affairs legacy, starts an inspiring new chapter. I look forward to contributing to a team that’s making a difference in shaping meaningful outcomes for clients,” Zussman added.
Last week, Zussman got a tribute from B.C. Premier David Eby, fittingly, at the legislature.
Zussman’s departure from Global News BC puts a punctuation mark on what has been a turbulent year for the media agency, with multiple rounds of layoffs since the start of 2025. Zussman was a fixture at Global News BC and was crucial in helping the public navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
The most recent significant round of layoffs occurred this September, when nearly 50 people lost their jobs, 26 of whom were journalists.