On the Move: MOIA America Makes Gamo PR Chief
Wed, Mar. 4, 2026
By Steve Barnes
MOIA America, a Volkswagen Group of America subsidiary that develops and tests autonomous, all-electric ride-pooling vehicles, names Marcus Gamo head of U.S. communications... Continental Strategy brings on Francisco Petrirena as VP in its Miami office. Petrirena was previously chief of staff to former Miami city manager Art Noriega... MSQ Sport + Entertainment brings on Lauren Weil as EVP, Max Hirsch as VP of sponsorship, and Brooke Losee as VP.
Burson promotes EMEA COO Matt Buchanan to global chief social and Influence officer, a newly created role... Seedtag, a “global neuro-contextual advertising company,” brings on former Edelman SVP, corporate and public affairs Brendan McCarthy as chief marketing & communications officer... The Associated Press ups Lauren Easton to SVP and chief communications officer.
USAA, which provides insurance, banking and retirement solutions for members of the US and their families, names Chris Curtin as CMO... Hemlo Mining, a Canadian gold producer, appoints Jason Banducci as VP, corporate development & investor relations... rbb Communications promotes four senior executives to SVP. 
LLYC names Federico Isuani AI strategy general director in the Americas, with Jesús Moradillo taking on the same role in Europe... DGA Group brings on Corry Jacobs as a partner. Jacobs comes to DGA from GSK, where she headed up the company’s Corporate Affairs for Business Strategy unit... MAD Global Strategy Group brings on Bridget McAuliffe as SVP in its Ohio office.
Pentagon veteran Tony Johnson, who has more than 30 years of defense and intelligence community experience, has joined Purposeful Advisors in Washington.
BASF, one of the world's largest chemical companies, is bringing on Thomas Biegi as SVP, corporate communications & government relations, effective April 1... Trozzolo Communications Group names Chris Humphreys as chief strategy officer.... Zillow promotes Marissa Brooks to SVP, corporate affairs.
Stella Porter, who was deputy press secretary to former Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, has joined Mercury Public Affairs as a VP in its Saddlebrook outpost.
The Alpine Group hires Trump White House staffer Taylor LaJoie as VP.... Aleo Network Foundation appoints Google and Square marketing vet Kyle Zink as CMO... The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy names Bob Purcell chief communications officer.
Rob Damschen, who was director of communications for Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin, has joined Bristol Myers Squibb as executive VP-PA.
McKinney brings on Weber Shandwick SVP, client experience Jae Siercks to lead its newly launched consumer PR practice, which is aimed at offering clients a more holistic view of paid, earned and owned channels... Rational 360 hires Nina DeLorenzo as managing director for corporate affairs... TV One Networks, which focuses on black culture and entertainment, appoints Keith Hopkins as VP of content distribution & marketing.
French/West/Vaughan signs up Drew Sykes as VP of social media & influencer marketing. Sykes joins FWV from Ignite Social Media... Axonius, an asset intelligence platform, names Meghan Marks as CMO... Dow taps Rebecca Bentley as VP of corporate affairs, a newly created role that brings together the company’s public affairs and government affair units into one team.
Stateside Associates, a state and local government relations firm, brings on Taylor Mason as VP... The International Dairy Foods Association promotes Andrew Jerome to SVP of strategic communications... USA Ninja Challenge, which offers obstacle-based fitness experiences for children across the United States, names Thomas Dievart as CMO.
Infinity Natural Resources has recruited Tom Marchetti as VP-investor relations at the Morgantown, WV oil & gas company.
The E.W. Scripps Company names Oliver Gray VP, network sports and client partnerships... Bay Area Lyme Foundation, a national nonprofit and leading sponsor of tick-borne disease research, brings on David Walsey as executive director... Segal Communications, a San Francisco-based public relations, social media, content and influencer marketing agency, brings on Katina Tinka Bush as VP.
OnMessage Public Strategies brings on Chris Syrek, who was most recently chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as EVP... Hall Strategies of Nashville promotes Ann Marie Anderson and Nancy Floyd to partner... Gravity Global ups Luke Leinberger to global head of social media, a newly created position... MAD Global Strategy Group brings on Buonomo Group founder Frank Buonomo as managing director to establish and lead the agency’s Pittsburgh office.
Tricia McLaughlin, the combative spokesperson for Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, is leaving her post.
Mahen Gunaratna, who was chief strategy advisor and communications director to former New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and deputy communications director for ex-NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, is coming on board at MikeWorldWide as EVP of public affairs.
Jeremy Guterl, a veteran of Ketchum Analytics and Edelman Berland, has joined Ruder Finn as senior VP-research and analytics.
