By Denise Grayes, Business Wire Atlanta
Welcome to the March 31 edition of recent account wins and job changes within the public relations industry. Do you have news you would like us to include, just let us know!
Atlanta
Marketing Inspirations was recently recognized for five campaigns during two of the most prestigious marketing and advertising celebrations for the southeastern region – the 2015 Atlanta Marketer of the Year (AMY) Awards and the American Advertising Awards (ADDY) for Atlanta chapter members. Article
Boston
Greenough is now the agency of record for Inovalon. Article
PreparedEx has introduced a scalable version of its crisis simulation application called LaunchPad, which enables small-to-medium-size organizations to cost-effectively conduct realistic crisis exercises. Article
HB Agency took home top honors for Best Animation video at the 2015 In2 Sabre Awards. Article
Charlotte
The McDonald’s Triad Co-op that is made up of 26 individual owners and operators of the North Carolina Triad-area McDonald’s 92 restaurants has contracted with full-service marketing agency Bouvier Kelly to provide ongoing public relations. Article
S&A Cherokee has expanded its offerings and rebranded itself as S&A Communications. Article
Complete Public Relations was named the Greenville, S.C. Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Month, Greenville Business Magazine reports. Article
French/West/Vaughan has been selected to partner with two top outdoor and sporting goods retail brands – Cabela’s and Fleet Feet Sports. Article
Chicago
Brooke Anderson has landed a new gig at Uber as communications lead/Midwest. Article
Two new employees join Henson Consulting as the boutique Chicago public relations firm expands both its office space and staff in 2015. Michelle Mekky has joined HC as a Senior Strategist and Director of New Business Development. Kendra Smith also recently joined HC as an Account Manager to help lead the agency’s growing roster of Kraft Foods coffee business. Article
Dean Potratz has launched PeAk Strategic Communications. Article
Cleveland
Falls Communications has hired Mark Koznarekas senior capital markets strategist. Article
Dallas
Moroch Partners has hired Cody Bailey as director of digital and social strategy. Article
DC
Edelman has concluded a lengthy search to identify the new head of its global corporate practice, hiring former Hilton Worldwide communications head Kathryn Beiser to the key global role. Article
MWW Public Relations has announced that Bob Knott has joined the firm as senior managing director for market leadership and issues management. Article
Resilience Action Partners, a joint venture between Ogilvy Public Relations and emergency mitigation planning firm Michael Baker International, has been awarded a $130 million contract to provide risk communication and mitigation planning services to the US Federal Emergency Management Agency over the next five years. Article
CTIA-The Wireless Association has added Stephanie Mathews O’Keefe as senior vice president and chief communications officer. Article
Chris Hassall has joined APCO Worldwide as a member of the firm’s international advisory council. Article
The American Anthropological Association (AAA) has appointed Jeff Martin as the Association’s new director, communications and public affairs. Article
NACS Public Relations has published a new Public Relations Toolkit to help retailers launch their own publicity efforts in their communities-from how to write a press release and craft talking points to how to pitch an interview and elicit great media coverage. Article
Warschawski announced the addition of Lauren Scheib to the agency’s growing team. Article
Finn Partners has announced the appointment of Chris Lawrence as the agency’s Director of Research. Article
Denver
Quest Diagnostics‘ Midwest region has hired Wilson Lass Brandon for marcomms assistance for the company’s rebranding efforts. Article
Pulse8 PR has launched with Wendie Larkin and Paul Lonnergren as founders. Article
Detroit
Lambert, Edwards & Associates announced that it will be providing investor relations counsel and services to support Peak Resorts, Inc. Article
The Downtown Detroit Partnership has named Lambert, Edwards & Associates its PR and social media AOR. Article
Shaun Wilson is the new senior vice president at Detroit-area communications firm Truscott Rossman. Article
Art Van Furniture has promoted Diane Charles to vice president of corporate communications. Article
Houston
Saxum has hired Kristi DesJarlais to serve as senior vice president and general manager of the agency’s Houston office. Article
Los Angeles
Envivio has selected Bob Gold & Associates to lead its global communications program. Article
Tony Cervone, SVP of global communications at General Motors, has joined the board of the Lagrant Foundation. Article
The University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering has selected Los Angeles technology public relations firm PMBC Group as its agency of record. Article
Chatterbox Public Relations, Ink announced the addition of Business Productivity Coaching to its core line of services. Article
PMBC Group has hired Chantal LeBoulch and Maura White as senior account managers. Article
MPRM Communications announced the addition of two new account supervisors as well as four promotions. Courtney Dolliver joins the Home Entertainment practice while Melissa Mills becomes part of the Digital Media and Technology team. Leif Helland becomes executive director, Caitlin McGee and Guido Gotz are both promoted to director and is now an account supervisor. Article
Miami
Kip Hunter Marketing is pleased to announce that it has doubled its office space at 888 East Las Olas Boulevard in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. The firm has also expanded its public relations department by hiring Michelle Rodrigues Hawthorn as Director of Public Relations and Melissa Sweredoski as Public Relations Manager. Article
Diamond Public Relations has started 2015 off strong with the addition of four new clients to its award-winning roster: Circa 39 and The Palms Hotel & Spa Miami in Miami Beach, FL; Ecoventura Galapagos Network in the Galapagos Islands; Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort; and Marriott Port-au-Prince Hotel in Haiti, a pro bono project for the agency. Article
Uproar PR has added two new clients in the health and wellness industry: Hyperice, creators of dynamic fitness tools, and myHealthSphere, an innovator in workplace wellness. Article
AboveWater Public Relations & Marketing has been retained by the American Association for Nude Recreation. Article
Minneapolis
Elisa Bernick has joined Brandpoint as Managing Editor. Article
Swanson Russell announced the addition of Dave Maas to the public relations department of its Lincoln office. Article
Nashville
FedEx is reviewing global PR duties, with longtime agency partner Ketchum among the several agencies vying for the sizable business. Article
The Tennessee Public Relations Alliance has added a new member: Q Strategies of Chattanooga. Article
Natasha Pierre-Louis has joined the staff of Tupelo-based marketing consulting, advertising, marketing and public relations agency Robinson and Associates as an account executive. Article
FleishmanHillard has launched a global practice on privacy and cyber risk, which will provide clients with a complete range of services to help them cope with data security and privacy challenges. Article
Newport Beach
Mojo PR Group recently launched with a full and diverse client roster, and new offices in the heart of downtown San Clemente. Founded by Joanne Forster, Mojo PR Group is a rebrand and re-launch of Forster’s public relations firm, The Forster Group PR, which was based in Los Angeles and Orange County. Article
New York
GE veteran Gary Sheffer plans to step down from his position as chief communications officer at the end of the year as senior director of external communications Deidre Latour takes over. Article
Golin has hired Ashley Hurst and Jon Silver as digital directors based in the New York office. Article
The North Shore-LIJ Health System has appointed Ramon Soto as SVP and chief marketing and communications officer. Article
M Group Strategic Communications has released a proprietary integrated issues-management platform, which will help it track developing issues, target industry influencers, and affect grassroots change, the firm said in a statement. Article
Bill Blass Group has appointed Exposure America and Wondersauce as its PR and digital creative agencies, respectively. Article
Servcorp is accelerating its New York City expansion, tapping The Marino Organization (TMO) to drive its New York City public relations efforts. Article
Blythedale Children’s Hospital announced it has selected Golin to develop its integrated public relations strategy. Article
Chris Hassall joined APCO Worldwide as a member of the firm’s International Advisory Council (IAC). Article
Dave Buchko is assuming a new role as communications manager, West, at BMW of North America. Article
Emotional Escapes has retained Conundrum as its public relations agency of record. Article
CRC has been named the agency of record for Dr. Rosemarie Ingleton, a New York City board-certified dermatologist who specializes in cosmetic and general dermatology. Article
The Reputation Institute has named Stephen Hahn-Griffiths as vice president of US strategy consulting and Scott Upham as vice president of US measurement consulting. Article
Samsung is seeking PR agency support for a seven-figure US corporate brief, amid the technology giant’s ongoing smart TV spying controversy. Article
Tsu has hired Diffusion as its PR agency of record. Article
5W Public Relations announced the re-launch of its website, http://www.5wpr.com, showcasing a refreshed look and feel as well as a new user-friendly layout. Article
Golin has appointed Dawn Langeland to the newly-created role of deputy managing director of New York and will lead the office’s consumer practice and Catalyst and Creator communities. Article
Rubenstein Public Relations has announced that Lauren Sachs has joined the agency as a Media Relations Manager. Article
The Marino Organization announced it has promoted two members of its team to vice president. Article
Burson-Marsteller has hired Jon Wentzel as executive vice president, US chief client officer. Article
Dina Cappiello has joined Edelman‘s global energy sector as vice president based in Washington, DC. Article
Evins Communications has appointed Drew Tybus vice president and director of the agency’s food, wine and spirits division. Article
Magrino has re-hired Phil DiIanni as senior vice president. Article
Lou Hammond & Associates has added four new clients for public relations, digital marketing and positioning: The Beach Company, known for real estate development in the Southeast; Halls Hospitality, which operates restaurants in South Carolina; High Country Rugs, which designs and manufactures custom oriental rugs; and Domestic Estate Management Association, a worldwide educational association for the private service community. Article
Philadelphia
Bravo Group has hired Jeffrey Logan as environmental and regulatory practice lead. Article
D4 Creative has appointed accomplished marketing veteran Michael Snyder as chief strategy officer and SVP of account services. Article
Buchanan Public Relations is pleased to announce three internal promotions. Article
Flackable has expanded its team by adding PRSSA Illinois State standout Hailey Lanier as an account coordinator. Article
Sarah Larson, Vice President of Public Relations for integrated marketing and public relations agency Furia Rubel Communications, will serve as a panelist for Bucks County Community College’s 2015 Media Day. Article
Avanti Markets has selected Schubert b2b to provide strategic marketing communications consultation, services and creative work. Article
Dan Soulas has formed a new market intelligence and communications insights consultancy, Market Intel Group. Article
Phoenix
Vista Outdoor has named Michael Pici as VP of investor relations. Article
Adduco Media announced its purchase of Trafficado. Article
San Francisco
Horn Group announced that Debra Raine has been promoted to partner. Article
Full Court Press Communications announced that Sarah Hersh will now hold the title of Vice President. Article
Allison & Partners has made Jonathan Heit its first president of Americas overseeing the firm’s expansion into South America. Article
Karbo Communications announced that it has achieved record growth over the last year with the addition of clients in both the enterprise and consumer technology markets. Article
Seattle
Weber Shandwick’s former global tech lead Tim Fry has resurfaced with his own consultancy – 468 Communications. Article
The head of Waggener Edstrom‘s Microsoft business Dawn Beauparlant is taking on a broader role overseeing the firm’s technology practice. Article
Atlanta, Chicago & San Francisco
Blink has opened its doors, focusing on “crisis management services affecting every aspect of the food chain from turf to table,” said principal and co-founder Laurel Kennedy. Article
Chicago & San Francisco
Olson Engage has promoted Tricia Ewald to executive vice president, director of account management, from senior vice president. The agency also elevated vice presidents Brian Flad, Matt Hargarten and Russin Royal to SVP roles, and tapped vice president Charlie Witkowski as the new general manager of the agency’s San Francisco office. Article
D.C, New York, Hong Kong, London & Paris
Brunswick Group announced that the firm has promoted 14 Directors to its partnership. Based in six offices across Europe, Asia and the United States, the new partners further strengthen the firm’s cross-border capabilities. Article
Los Angeles & New York
Allison+Partners announced the promotion of two senior executives who will help guide the agency’s continued global expansion. Jonathan Heit has been elevated to president, Americas. Matthew Della Croce has been elevated to president, Europe and Global Corporate. Article
Seattle & Sydney
Global digital/direct marketing agency HackerAgency announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with FCB New Zealand. Article
Hong Kong
Golin has hired Burson-Marsteller’s Calvin Wong for a newly-created role overseeing research and analytics in Asia. Article
Ogilvy & Mather Asia Pacific will be the host of this year’s prestigious ADC Portfolio Night 13 in Greater China, with Bates CHI&Partners staging the event in Singapore – all on the same day – Wednesday 20 May. Article
Cohn & Wolfe has named Angelina Ong as president of its Asia-Pacific operations. Article
Ogilvy Indonesia has appointed Anton Reyniers as Group Strategy Director, further strengthening the management lineup. Article
Brunswick Group has promoted several directors to its partnership, including Ginny Wilmerding, who advises on financial and corporate communications, transactions, crisis, strategic positioning and stakeholder engagement; Patrick Eastwood of the creative communications unit MerchantCantosl and Will Carnwath, who focuses on corporate reputation, investor relations and crisis in the firm’s Singapore office. Article
Piaggio Asia Pacific has engaged The Hoffman Agency to be its agency of record for public relations covering the Asia-Pacific region. Article
Bell Pottinger has appointed Adeline Goh as partner. Article
The Hoffman Agency has won a three-way competitive PR pitch to serve Alexander Mann Solutions. Article
London
Nelson Bostock chairman Martin Bostock is to retire from the business he founded with Roger Nelson in 1987. Article
Cake has secured consumer PR duties for Virgin Atlantic, extending a relationship that saw the firm handle a six-month project for the airline last year. Article
Mischief CEO Frankie Cory has bolstered her management team with two associate director hires, including Tesco consumer PR head Jess Buttress. Article
W has strengthened its senior leadership team, promoting director Richard Tompkins to managing director and bringing Holly Maguire on board as a director from ad agency Anomaly. Article
Golin has been appointed by management consultancy Baringa Partners to deliver corporate communications services. Article
M&C Saatchi PR has appointed Gary Wheeldon-Doyle to the newly created role of global managing director. Article
Hassle.com has appointed Threepipe to run its digital marketing campaigns, starting with paid search campaigns across key UK cities and in Paris and Dublin. Article
CubanEight has been appointed to manage the regional PR campaign for housing developer Dorchester Living following a competitive pitch. Article
Berkeley PR has been appointed lead agency by Epicor Software Solutions its UK and EMEA coordination following a four-way competitive pitch. Article
Former M&C Saatchi director Hew Leith has launched a new agency, 10x. Article
Jonathan Fraser has joined Exposure Digital as chief strategy officer, and will act as strategic lead for the entire agency’s digital and social media business. Article
Edelman UK corporate and financial MD Jamie Lundie is departing the firm after a decade for a senior in-house comms role with Barclays. Article
Richard Kanareck has joined fast-growing UK energy company OVO Energy as its first chief communications officer. Article
LogicNow has selected independent PR agency network GlobalCom to handle its PR duties across a range of countries. Article
Chipmaker AMD has consolidated global PR duties with Edelman after shifting its key EMEA comms assignments to the firm. Article
SurveyMonkey has hired Bite as its first UK communications agency, as the survey platform steps up global expansion plans. Article
Gemalto has appointed Brands2Life as its corporate and lead social media agency of record following a three-way pitch process. Article
Mischief has been appointed as the retained UK consumer PR agency for premium dessert brand Gü. Article
Exterion Media has appointed Bite as its UK and group PR agency to boost its profile and brand. Article
Shopa has appointed Shine Communications to launch the brand and deliver an annual programme to target bloggers, key influencers and top tier media. Article
Encompass Corporation has engaged The Whiteoaks Consultancy to deliver a PR launch programme to catapult it into the UK market. Article
Edmiston has appointed W to handle its corporate and consumers communications on a retained basis. Article
RM Results has selected The CommsCo to drive a new content marketing and social media program that will increase thought leadership-based content across its digital channels. Article
Invenio Business Solutions has appointed Octopus Group to support growth in its application managed services offerings. Article
University of Westminster has appointed Publicasity to handle PR and social media for the launch of Regent Street Cinema, following a competitive pitch. Article
Paris
The Qatar Foundation is reviewing its multimillion-dollar global PR mandate, amid continued concerns over the country’s global reputation. Article
Grayling has launched a new office in Muscat, Oman, following the creation of a partnership between its parent company, Huntsworth, and local Omani company Al Reem Creative. Article
Instinctif Partners has won the global communications brief for the Oman Tank Terminal Company (OTTCO). Article
GE Oil & Gas has hired H+K Strategies to handle public relations duties in EMEA, following a competitive review. Article
Hill+Knowlton Strategies has launched an operation in Nigeria to keep pace with burgeoning client demand in the country. Article
Sydney
Perfect Relations has hired former Shell India corporate affairs chief Deepak Mukarji as a group advisor for its oil and gas practice. Article
Text 100 has launched a new agency brand in India following its merger with Next 15 sibling Bite last year. Article
Cheil India has appointed Vaarunya Bhalla as senior brand manager. Article
Tokyo
Rakuten has hired new PR support as it attempts to build a stronger global brand. Article
Toronto
Pure Energy Minerals has retained Brisco Capital Partners to provide investor relations services. Article
OpenTable has engaged StrategicAmpersand as its agency of record for Canada. Article
