Alex Thompson, a more than 10-year veteran of Edelman, has moved to REI, $2B retailer of camping, clothes and recreational gear.
He worked at Edelman's New York, London, Hong Kong and Singapore offices advising clients in the sports, energy, media, technology, transportation and financial services categories. He held the executive VP-corporate/PA post.
At $2B REI, which is known for its liberal 100 percent guaranteed return policy, Thompson will interface with the co-op's board and handle reputation management, community relations, charity, and government/media relations.
He takes the VP-communications and PA job.
REI has 135 outlets throughout the US, where anyone can shop but members pay a one-time $20 fee to share its profits.
Business leaders will face challenges in the upcoming year, some of which will come as a complete surprise, or beyond anyone's imagination.
Teneo has hired Philipp Grontzki, who is a 20-year veteran of corporate communications and financial journalism, as a managing director in its strategy and communications group.
Rowan Benecke, who co-founded Zeno Group and helmed Burson-Marsteller's tech practice, has joined McKinsey & Co as director of communications for North America.
BCW has named Golin's Matt Coldagelli EVP and leader of its corporate affairs practice in Chicago.
Abby Bailey, who headed corporate communications for Fedex in its Middle East, India and Africa region, has joined Teneo as managing director in Dubai.
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