Julie BatlinerA changing of the guard at Spong PR. Carmichael Lynch Inc. on Thursday named Julie Batliner president of the company’s public relations division, Spong, as president and founder Doug Spong transitions to the role of president emeritus.

Batliner, who has been with Spong since 2005, has landed a long list of new clients, including Arla Foods, Formica Corp., Jennie-O Turkey Store, The Schwan Food Co. and U.S. Bank.

She also launched a Client Relationship Management program while simultaneously building the agency’s social media capabilities.

“I’m looking forward to building on the great legacy the firm has built the past 25 years, focusing on continued meaningful creativity led by solid insights that drive business results for our clients," Batliner said. "It’s our job to keep our clients in the now and the next. And we’re uniquely positioned to be the partner who can help them gain share of conversation everywhere through integrated solutions."

In 2010, the agency promoted Batliner, from chief client relations officer, to her most recent role as managing director.

Prior to joining Spong, Batliner worked for global agency FleishmanHillard.

Batliner will report to Carmichael Lynch CEO, Mike Lescarbeau, and oversee Spong’s Minneapolis and New York offices.

The move comes about a little more than a year after the PR agency rebranded from Carmichael Lynch Spong, to Spong, to better distinguish the agency from ad shop Carmichael Lynch.