By Denise Grayes, Business Wire
Each week, Business Wire brings you the latest changes and updates in the PR industry. To learn more about each news item, simply click the hyperlink. Have your own update to include? Let us know!
Atlanta
Arketi Group will lead strategic PR initiatives for Salesfusion. Article
communications 21 has hired Jordan Garofalo as an account manager to join the c21 team. Article
Brandware has been selected by Pellisari LLC as its public relations agency of record. Article
Austin
Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. announced David Snowden has been appointed to serve as senior vice president, group communications and public relations. Article
Sanders\Wingo chairman Robert V. Wingo has been elected to the Ad Council Board of Directors. Article
RetailMeNot announced that Marissa Tarleton has joined the company as its chief marketing officer for North America. Article
Boston
Matter Communications has announced it will serve as Agency of Record for JDA Software Group. Article
marlo marketing announced today two new Travel & Destination clients: The Envoy Hotel in Boston, MA,, and The Ricci Collection’s Grand Amore Hotel and Spa in Florence, Italy. Article
InkHouse Media + Marketing announced that Susan Elsbree has joined the company’s growing real estate practice as vice president. Article
Charlotte
Justin Nicolette has joined IMRE as the new General Manager for their Raleigh office. Article
French/West/Vaughan (FWV) has been selected by the Veteran Golfers Association (VGA) to provide public relations and sponsorship support for its 2015 VGA National Championship. Article
French/West/Vaughan has been selected by Trailways Transportation System as its marketing agency of record. Article
French/West/Vaughan took home 18 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards – including a “Best in Division” honor, the night’s highest designation – as part of the annual recognition program hosted by the Raleigh Public Relations Society. Article
MMI has added five new clients for services including branding and creative design, website design and development, video production and media relations. Article
Chicago
Current Lifestyle Marketing is rebranding to become Current Marketing, emphasizing its focus on “marketing for real lives.” Article
Creative agency 50,000feet has been awarded a 2015 Sappi Ideas that Matter grant to develop a communications toolkit for Peace Care. Article
rEvolution has acquired NEXTGEN+MVPs, and is launching a new eSports consultancy, rEvXP, to serve brands, platforms and players in advancing their respective brand connections with fans. Article
Henson Consulting has added nine new talented employees to its vibrant team since the end of July. Article
GMR hired Aaron Frank as associate creative director, ideation. Article
The Arthur W Page Society has named Dave Samson, general manager of public affairs at Chevron, as its next chairman. Article
Resolute Consulting announced Kimberly Walz has joined the firm as vice president. Article
Don Tomala, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Matrix Partners has been named the recipient of Pet Age magazine’s coveted ICON award. Article
Dallas
Jones PR has become part of PROI Worldwide. Article
The Dallas Entrepreneur Center (DEC) has partnered with TrizCom Public Relations to open Pitch PR. Article
DC
Dave McCulloch has joined Capitol Media Partners to lead its Washington, DC, operations as partner. Article
Ogilvy Public Relations has launched Association Works, a specialty service focused on helping trade and professional membership associations achieve their reputation management, marketing and member communications goals. Article
The Stagwell Group has acquired strategic communications and public affairs firm SKDKnickerbocker through its Stagwell Media private equity fund. Article
Curley Company has been selected by L’Oreal USA as the strategic event firm for L’Oreal USA’s For Women in Science awards ceremony and reception in October. Article
Frederic J. Frommer has been tapped to lead the Dewey Square Group‘s new Sports Business Practice. Article
Denver
Western Union chief communications officer Luella Chavez D’Angelo is leaving after 15 years with the financial services company. Article
The ART Hotel announced Candace Duran, director of sales & marketing, as the lead of a robust sales team. Article
Barnhart announced the appointment of Matt Ward as creative director. Article
Woodruff Sweitzer continues its rapid expansion with the addition of four new employees: Caitlin Christopher and Kimberly Curtis to the Columbia office, and Andy Grollmes and Cassie Naes to the Kansas City office. Article
Crossroads was the recipient of the Best in Show Award at the 2015 Greater Kansas City-PRSA PRISM Awards Gala. Article
GYMR Public Relations announced internal promotions and new hires in its Washington, D.C. office. Article
MWW Public Relations has announced that Erin Bzymek has joined MWWPR as an account supervisor and lead media strategist. Article
Detroit
Campbell Ewald announced today that it has been named Agency of Record (AOR) for Travelocity, following a competitive review. Article
Finn Partners announced the promotion of Emily Shirden to Partner at its growing Detroit office. Article
Houston
Master Public Relations officially opened its doors for business on October 1st and specializes in crisis communication, crisis management, and media relations. Article
Los Angeles
Weber Shandwick has added Alejandro Castro Enciso as senior vice president and executive producer in the digital creative group. Article
Phelps has added three new clients: Learn4Life, Natrol and Ryze Capital Partners. Article
AwesomenessTV introduced Wildness-a new firm that offers research, insights and strategy services for brands that want to be relevant with youth culture. Article\
ZeeVee has selected Bob Gold & Associates to lead its PR activities. Article
Fifteen Minutes expands its tech footprint with the October onboarding of two new clients. Article
The National Black Public Relations Society is honoring leaders in PR excellence as a part of its 2015 #PowerPR Summit, which convenes October 30 at the Dupont Circle Hotel in Washington, D.C. Article
Variety has named Dea Lawrence as its Chief Marketing Officer. Article
Miami
rbb Communications was named agency of record for VITAS Healthcare. Article
3AWORLDWIDE announced the addition of Adam Horowitz as the new Chief Financial Officer. Article
Cheryl Andrews Marketing Communications (CAMC) has been appointed the PR agency of record for Viceroy Anguilla. Article
Fetching Communications has added new clients including Veterinary Practice Partners; VetSpecialists.com; Yabozi Products; and Voyce Pro. Article
O’Donnell Agency has opened an office in Sarasota, FL and added four executives in West Palm Beach to its advertising and public relations staff. Article
Schwartz Media Strategies has added marketing executive Katherine Doble as Director of Digital Media and Branding. Article
Minneapolis
Mike Fernandez, Corporate Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Cargill, was selected as the first-ever recipient of the Hispanic Public Relations Association National Pioneer of the Year Award. Article
Gage announced it has hired Travis J. Lee as associate director of design. Article
Carmichael Lynch Inc. named Julie Batliner President of the company’s public relations division, Spong. Article
New York
Prosek Partners announced that Andy Merrill has joined as Partner. Article
Fenton has named Ben Branham as managing director of the New York office. Article
Makovsky has named Denise Vitola as managing director, a new position, serving in a leadership position for all practice leaders and supporting the CEO with the strategic direction of the firm. Article
David Grant is joining Steinreich Communications as a senior vice president. Article
Nancy J Friedman Public Relations has signed Li-Lac Chocolates to announce the opening of its third Manhattan store at 162 Bleecker Street. Article
M2M PR & Partnerships has announced the addition of THIEL Audio, Lion Heart Autographs, The T.J. Martell Foundation 40th Anniversary, Van Eaton Galleries and the Brumley Music Company to its roster. Article
Kip-PR announced its representation of Hamptons Glow. Article
PureWow celebrated its 5th birthday on Thursday, October 8th. Article
JONESWORKS announced its representation of WTRMLN WTR. Article
BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) announced that Jodie Thomas has been named Executive Director, Corporate Communications and Media Relations, effective immediately. Article
Havas Health has announced the launch of a new consultancy company, xigxag. Article
Justin Chase has joined Makovsky as Chief Digital Officer and Executive Vice President. Article
Coyne has hired Ann Smith as a vice president in the healthcare practice. Article
Cutler PR has been named PR agency of record for website-building platform Duda and marketing tech company Oomph. Additionally, Cutler PR has expanded its relationship with RR Media , becoming RR Media’s global PR agency of record. Article
Brandstyle Communications has been selected to represent Cobram Estate Olive Oil and Quiet Logistics. Article
MWWPR has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Berk Communications & Marketing Group. Article
Christopher Graves, global chairman of Ogilvy Public Relations, has been elected to his second term as chair of the PR Council. Article
The co-founders of the consumer powerhouse Catalyst abruptly stepped down this week, three years after the agency sold to IMG. Article
Zeno Group has hired Frank Eliason as an EVP to lead US digital and customer experience. Article
Reputation Institute has launched its Reputation Tracker service in India, Canada, Brazil, Sweden, China, Japan and Portugal. Article
Assembly announced that it has won the media account of Audible, Inc. Article
ICM Registry announced KCSA Strategic Communications will lead the company’s public relations program. Article
WEILL has been appointed public relations representative for PARIS MADE PERFECT. Article
Monastero Santa Rosa has appointed WEILL to oversee its public relations. Article
Ogilvy Public Relations has launched Association Works, a specialty service focused on helping trade and professional membership associations achieve their reputation management, marketing and member communications goals. Article
The Stevens Group has named Rich Jachetti Senior Partner. Article
DBC PR + Social Media announced that Jon Cunningham has joined the agency as Senior Vice President and New York office lead. Article
Oklahoma
Candor was recognized by the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce as the second-fastest-growing business in the Oklahoma City area. Article
Philadelphia
The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts has selected Cashman & Associates as its PR agency of record to assist in expanding the reach and impact of the 2016 Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA). Article
San Diego
Clearpoint Agency has been selected by the San Diego County Vintners Association (SDCVA) to manage its public relations and digital strategies. Article
San Francisco
Karbo Communications has announced the PowerStart PR Launch Program created for pre-Series A technology companies. Article
Seattle
Waggener Edstrom is refreshing its brand identity, refining its focus, and restructuring its leadership team as it prepares for future growth, with founders Melissa Waggener Zorkin and Pamela Edstrom taking their names off the door as the firm becomes simply WE. Article
Salt Branding and independent communications agency WE announced a new strategic partnership that will enhance their clients’ ability to create, redefine, and extend Essential Brands. Article
Austin & New York
Ogilvy PR and Good Scout Group announce a strategic alliance in which the agencies will partner on key corporate social responsibility (CSR) and cause-related initiatives. Article
DC & New York
Portland has expanded its strategic communications counsel and media expertise in its Washington and New York offices with the additions of Noah Black and Eric Schultz. Article
New York & Seattle
Lane has added three new clients: Portland Roasting Coffee is a specialty coffee roaster; Regal Springs Tilapia, a sustainable, international producer and supplier of tilapia based in Miramar, Fla.; and Steaz, a brand of natural, organic and fair trade green tea-based beverages. Article
Frankfurt
Schwartz Public Relations has been selected by Sharp Electronics Europe to handle media relations within the DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) region. Article
Volkswagen has named new communications leadership as it attempts to salvage its reputation amid its ongoing emissions crisis. Article
Volkswagen has called on a quartet of PR firms to oversee its global crisis PR response as it attempts to deal with the biggest scandal in its 78-year history, the Holmes Report can reveal. Article
Hong Kong
SGK has promoted Brad Wills to executive senior vice president of global operations. Adam Ransom takes over the reins as APAC group managing director and Simon Macdonald fills Ransom’s place as SGK’s managing director for Australia and New Zealand. Article
Citizen Relations has named Chris Chamberlin as Asia-Pacific managing director. Article
Fortune PR has named Ati Muchtar as its new chief executive officer. Article
London
Societe Generale has appointed Lansons to provide agency support for its corporate and investment banking (CIB) arm, adding to the services Lansons already provides for SG Securities Services, SG Global Transaction Banking and SGPB Hambros. Article
Hill+Knowlton Strategies has strengthened its expanding issues and crisis management team with the appointment of Simone Whitfield as a director. Article
Ketchum has promoted two partners into new roles: Jo-ann Robertson, partner, managing director, corporate, technology and public affairs has been promoted to deputy chief executive officer, London, while Deirdre Murphy, Partner, senior managing director, has been promoted to the role of chief operating officer, London. Article
uSwitch.com has appointed 3 Monkeys Communications to handle UK PR for its energy proposition. Article
Four Communications Group has acquired the Welsh market leading PR and design agency Francis Balsom Associates. Article
Streamwire has appointed Spreckley as its retained PR agency in the UK to support the company’s growth in delivery of the IT services. Article
Kenshoo has formed a global partnership with Hootsuite in an attempt to help marketers better understand, attribute and optimise the combined impact of their paid and owned social media marketing. Article
Anglo American is seeking new communications support after parting ways with Edelman. Article
Ogilvy Public Relations announced the appointment of Marshall Manson to the position of UK CEO Ogilvy PR. Article
Marshall Manson has been named CEO of Ogilvy PR UK. Article
Beyond has brought on Tom Denning as COO amid double-digit growth. Article
Glencore has brought in external PR support as it attempts to reassure investors and creditors following a 60% slump in its stock price this year. Article
Sofia Axelsson has been appointed senior vice president, group communications, brand and marketing, for Husqvarna Group. Article
Luke Pearson has joined Brands2Life‘s consumer team in the newly created role of senior content producer. Article
Springer Nature has hired Atomic to undertake a comprehensive audit and analysis of the media landscape. Article
Strategic communications agency salt is one of the first companies in the UK to be awarded B Corporation status, awarded to companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. Article
WPP PR firm Buchanan has hired City PR veteran Giles Sanderson as deputy chairman and partner. Article
Steffan Williams has left Finsbury to join Porta Communications in the newly-created role of group managing director. Article
MediaCom USA announced that it has recruited Tom Cijffers as its new Chief Client Officer. Article
Paris
Grayling has been selected following a competitive tender to drive awareness and attendance for the World Energy Congress in Istanbul this month. Article
Action Global Communications has launched Action Digital, creating an integrated on and offline offer to help clients widen their reach, engage their consumers, amplify the impact of their brand and grow their business across emerging markets. Article
The International Communications Consultancy Organisation has appointed Maxim Behar as its new president during its Global Summit in Milan. Article
A group of ten successful independent PR firms are joining forces to create a new global affiliate network, called the Ecosytem. Article
Saint James has selected Sopexa to celebrate its 250th anniversary through 2015-2016 with a host of festivities on its home island of Martinique as well as an international communications campaign and special commemorative bottlings. Article
Sydney
General Motors India has appointed Swati Bhattacharya as vice president of communications and Pankaj Gupta as vice president of government relations and public policy. Article
Rishi Bhattacharya, the chair of Edelman’s global energy sector practice, is leaving the firm to take on a similar role at Instinctif Partners. Article
TVS Motor Company has appointed Varghese Thomas as vice president of corporate communications. Article
Hill+Knowlton Strategies Australia has added goCatch to its client roster. Article
jack + bill has selected four campaigns to receive $30,000 fee equivalent PR support: Forage Cookbook, a charity cookbook; Danny Burrito, on-demand burrito delivery across Sydney; Olympic Nick: A Donutmentary, a short film about a 76-year-old doughnut maker; and The Rum Diary Bar Spiced Rum. Article
Edelman has hired Amit Narayan for the newly-created role of reputation head in India. Article
Cohn & Wolfe has acquired fast-growing Indian PR firm Six Degrees and its content subsidiary Alphabet Consulting, the latest in a series of investments designed to expand its Asian footprint. Article
Tokyo
Prain Global has appointed Kim Dong Wook as its president and CEO. Article
Nissan has named new corporate communications leadership, with Microsoft’s Jonathan Adashek arriving to become global VP of communications and chief communications officer at the automaker’s HQ in Yokohama, Japan. Article
Toronto
Yulu Public Relations has become a certified B Corporation, a new type of company that builds positive social and environmental impact into its business model. Article
Edelman Canada has announced the opening of an Ottawa office under the leadership of Senior Vice President and Ottawa General Manager Darcy Walsh. Article
PR agency veteran Bob Pickard has returned to his native Canada and plans to launch a new consultancy after departing Huntsworth earlier this year. Article
