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Scott WidmeyerFinn Partners managing partner Scott Widmeyer has been named chief strategy officer of the global independent agency’s D.C. office in a bid to bolster that outpost’s ongoing growth.
Widmeyer, who formerly led press secretary duties for former WV Governor (and later Senator) Jay Rockefeller as well as Walter Mondale’s Presidential 1984 bid, founded Washington-based Widmeyer Communications in 1987, where he served as chairman and CEO. The firm was acquired by Finn Partners in 2013, whereupon Widmeyer was named managing partner.
Finn Partners’ Washington outpost is now the agency’s number-two operation after its New York headquarters, counting about 65 employees and accounting for approximately $15 million in annual fees.
The firm’s D.C. office specializes in public affairs, education, professional services, government agencies, digital marketing/creative services, and qualitative/quantitative research.
The Walt Disney Company names Asad Ayaz to lead its newly established enterprise marketing and brand organization... Kaiser Permanente, which provides integrated healthcare services, is bringing on Beth Leonard as SVP and chief public affairs officer, effective Feb. 2. Leonard was most recently chief corporate affairs officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance... AIC Hotel Group, which operates such brands as Nobu Hotels, Hard Rock Hotels, AVA Resort and Spa and the UNICO Collection, hires Delia Osegueda as VP, global partnerships.
Sarah Knakmuhs, who formerly led H/Advisors Abernathy’s DC office, is joining the Financial Services Forum as chief communications and strategy officer.
Brian Hughes, chief of staff at NASA, has joined Mercury Public Affairs as a partner in its Tallahassee office.
Narrative Strategies brings on Stacia Tipton as managing director... Prosek Partners promotes Deirdre Bolton, Josh Clarkson and Jon Schwartz to partner... YAP Global, an international digital assets PR firm, promotes Otto Jacobsson, who has served as CFO of the firm since 2020, to CEO. 
Cindy Leggett-Flynn, who most recently led communications at Credit Suisse, is coming on board at Swiss multinational private bank and wealth management firm Julius Baer Group as group head of communications.
