WASHINGTON DC: Cynthia Hudson joins the growing list of women running top Washington PR firms, following her appointment as head of Burson-Marsteller's US Public Affairs Practice.

Hudson, 39, replaces Ken Rietz who recently was named chief executive officer of the agency's European Region.

In addition, Hudson will be the acting manager of the Washington DC office, a position formerly held by Sheila Raviv who now is head of the company's worldwide Constituency Practice. Hudson officially begins her duties January 1. ...