On the Move: Global Strategy Group Hires Praytell's Taratuta
Wed, Jul. 15, 2026
By Steve Barnes
Global Strategy Group names Claudio Taratuta as an EVP of the L@B, its in-house creative and media agency. Taratuta joins GSG from Praytell, where he was a founding team member... ROKK Solutions appoints Kris Havens as EVP of intel and insights. Havens was most recently a partner at Penta Group... Cliff House Maine brings on William Courtney Lowe as chief business development and brand strategist. Lowe joins Cliff House Maine from Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod, where he was VP of marketing & business development.
Havas acquires MUT, a Barcelona-based firm focused on experiential marketing and sustainable events... IPREX lauches its AI Task Force...D S Simon Media, one of the first companies to produce a satellite media tour, celebrates its 40th anniversary... Washington Women in Public Relations is sponsoring an event that shows communications pros who work with associations how they can get their messages across clearly, credibly and courageously. “How Associations Lead with Strategic Storytelling,” at 6 p.m. on July 16.
SKDK makes Loren Riegelhaupt, Michael Czin and Julie Andreeff Jensen agency partners... Coca-Cola Company promotes Gary McElyea to lead its pan-European Public Policy & Government Affairs agenda, and Sophia Chrysopoulou to serve as head of EU public affairs... Rithum, a commerce solutions provider, appoints Kim Miller as CMO and head of global strategy. 
Aura, an AI-powered online safety solution, names Steven Young as global CMO. Young was most recently CMO at social commerce platform Poshmark... The Computer & Communications Industry Association brings on Matt Mandel as VP federal affairs... Wiland, a consumer intelligence and marketing data company, appoints Jacqueline Popelier as chief marketing and strategy officer, effective July 14.
AI-driven Metrics, algorithms, and data optimisation have become the latest obsession for many, and the true fundamentals of B2B marketing have been forgotten.
Lyons Falls, a village in northwestern New York, is searching for a firm to develop a comprehensive marketing and branding program for its downtown.
MikeWorldWide appoints Edelman EVP Darrin Kayser as energy managing director... AXS, which provides ticketing and live event technology, names Sweta Patel CMO... Monks, a unit of Martin Sorrell’s S4 Capital, appoints Scott McBride as managing director of Southeast Asia. 
SUNY Morrisville wants proposals for a one-year digital marketing campaign designed to boost the enrollment goals of the Central New York college.
Many brands have scaled back their Pride marketing due to a fear of consumer backlash as well as reputational and financial risk. However, this is far from the end of brands celebrating Pride, and those that continue to do so are showing their true colors. 
Finance of America, a leading reverse mortgage lender, has recruited Jordan Baucum as senior VP communications and Colm Murphy as chief brand officer.
Sachs Media welcomes Jenn Meale, who was a communications director for Florida AG Pam Bondi, back to the company as director... The Executive Leadership Council appoints Crystal Brown as chief engagement, communications and marketing officer... SamsonPR brings on Clarity Global's Justin Finnegan as VP. 
The University of Rhode Island seeks a marketing partner to promote its 2027 winter J term, summer sessions and the office of strategic initiatives.
Lincoln International, a global investment banking advisory firm, names Alexandra Deignan CMO and head of investor relations. Deignan joins the firm from Lazard... The Dallas Mavericks sign James Ruth to serve as CMO. Ruth was most recently CMO for the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers... The Heritage Foundation appoints Brian Phillips as VP of communications.
Vernon, which was founded in 1905 as the first industrial city in the Southwest, wants to hire a firm for strategic communications and marketing services.
In a tough job market with AI threatening our careers, communicators have to prove more than ever that PR is more than a “nice to have.” Speaking jargon hasn’t worked, so we have to try a new tactic—speaking the language of the C-Suite decision-makers who control our futures.
Moburst, a mobile-first digital marketing agency, has named Microsoft, eBay vet Salam Beasan VP of AI and innovation... Nord Quantique, a Sherbrook, Quebec-based quantum computing company, names Tobi Day-Hamilton chief communications officer and Angela Olano as VP, Marketing, effective in July... LEAP, a cloud-based legal practice management platform, names Hari Ayengar as its first VP of communications.
Clayton Ruebensaal, who was most recently chief creative officer at Comcast, joins global information and insights company TransUnion as chief marketing and communications officer. 
Monotype Imaging. a type and technology company, hires Karen Brewer as CMO... APPLY, an agentic customer experience partner backed by Interlock Equity, appoints Jacquelyn Baker as global general manager of its consumer industry arena, across CPG and retail... MAD Global Strategy brings on Brandon Patterson as an SVP in its New York office.
