Rosy McGillan
Rosy McGillan

Porter Novelli has launched its global Purpose Practice, which will specialize in purpose-driven brand strategy, corporate social responsibility, social marketing, social impact and brand communications. The practice will be led by executive VP and partner Rosy McGillan, who has been with PN for 12 years. Prior to joining PN, McGillan led health education and advocacy accounts for MSLPR. Also on the senior leadership team will be executive VPs Alison DaSilva and Ravi Sunnak. DaSilva, a 20-year Cone vet, will lead CSR and brand communications work under the new practice and will continue to spearhead the group’s global CSR consumer research and trend tracking. Sunnak joined PN in November from Havas PR, where he led the corporate and cause practice. He will lead the Purpose Practice’s work around the Sustainable Development Goals and social impact. As part of the launch, PN has announced a suite of new “Purpose Accelerator” products focusing on social justice positioning, c-suite visibility, the SDGs, and measurement. The launch follows Porter Novelli’s merger with CSR firm Cone in February 2017.

Andras Nagy
Andras Nagy

Worldcom Public Relations Group has added two new partners—Keating & Associates in Dublin, Ireland and Providence Consulting, Inc. in Bakersfield, CA. Founded in 1992, Keating & Associates is a full-service public affairs and PR service with experience working on large-scale foreign direct investment and infrastructure projects. A certified woman-owned marketing and communications firm, Providence Consulting also develops strategic communications plans that guide projects through governmental approvals. “We’ve long sought a strong partner in Ireland, and Keating makes it worth the wait,” said Andras Nagy, Probako Communication’s managing director and EMEA board chair for Worldcom. Sean Rossall, CEO of Dick Jones Communications and Americas Region board president, said that “Providence bolsters our strong public affairs practice as well as our West Coast presence.”

Ann Barlow
Ann Barlow

Peppercomm’s west coast president, Ann Barlow, has been elected 2018-2019 board chair of Watermark, the Bay Area’s largest organization dedicated to increasing the number of women in leadership positions. Barlow, who been a board member of the organization since 2014, succeeds Lynne Born, CEO of New York-based accounting firm Perelson Weiner, who will remain as co-chair. Watermark, which has been promoting women’s advancement in business for 25 years, hosts webinars, training sessions, networking events and conferences. On Feb. 23, the nonprofit will host its annual Conference for Women at the San Jose Convention Center. “The demand for Watermark’s services has never been higher given the focus on issues of equity and the balance of power,” said Barlow. “The organization’s team and board are actively developing plans for expansion so we can make meaningful progress on a complex, intractable problem.”