Bill Etling

Bill Etling is the Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Nestlé Purina PetCare in North America. Bill and his team develop strategic communications that help Purina and its pet food, litter and treat brands reach pet lovers through earned traditional and social media channels. His team provides communications support to the Purina Corporate Brand and Purina’s 30+ range brands; the company’s 23 U.S. plants and Corporate Manufacturing division; Research and Development; the Purina Institute; Innovation and Sustainability teams; and the PetFinder and Pet Welfare groups. The team also manages corporate giving to civic and charitable organizations throughout the U.S., develops communications and events for more than 11,000 Purina associates and builds relationships with key opinion leaders among government officials, industry trade groups and veterinarians.

Bill has worked in public relations for more than 30 years, including 16 years at Nestlé Purina, 11 years with Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc., and three years at global public relations firm FleishmanHillard. Before entering the public relations field, Bill worked as a sportswriter for several daily newspapers. He earned a journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a business degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Bill proudly serves on the Development Board of St. Louis Children’s Hospital, the Downtown Advisory Board of Greater St. Louis, Inc., and the Board of Directors for the Humane Society of Missouri.

Bill was born and raised in St. Louis. He and his wife, Sue, have three children – Pete (wife Andrea), Elizabeth (husband Luke), and Brian (wife Kate) – and two grandchildren (Parker and Everett). Bill grew up with a family cat always by his side, and he and Sue have owned pets throughout their 41 years together. They currently care for three adopted pets — a German Shepherd-Golden Retriever mix, Luna, and two twin-sister cats, Macaroni and Tortellini.