laura hallLondon-based M&C Saatchi has installed agency vet Laura Hall as managing director of its PR operation's US headquarters in New York.

Hall held senior posts at Burson-Marsteller (managing director), MSLGroup (SVP) and Citizen Relations (managing partner).

For M&C Saatchi PR, she leads US operations and reports to global CEO Molly Aldridge.

Aldridge said the firm took its time to find a US chief that fit a variety of criteria as it hopes to expand and build a strong US PR presence. She said the firm was looking for "someone who understands integrated marketing and sees the value in a holistic approach, who has solid experience across our key business sectors, such as CPG, and who is a bona fide New Yorker who knows the US market."

Earlier stints for Hall included FleishmanHillard, Off Madison Ave, Weber Shandwick, Marina Maher Communications and DeVries, among other others.

Claire Jobe and Sandra Carreon-John are SVPs for M&C Saatchi PR in New York.