 Bente Engesland |
Burson-Marsteller has appointed Bente Engesland CEO of its Norwegian operations, effective June 1. Engesland takes over from interim CEO Wenche Halsen, who will remain as part of the firm’s Norway leadership. Engesland joins Burson-Marsteller from Statkraft, an energy company owned by the Norwegian government, where she is senior VP of corporate communications. She has also served as head of news at NRK, the Norwegian state-owned radio and television public broadcasting company. “From counseling senior business leaders on key issues to designing digital and integrated communications campaigns, Bente brings an invaluable perspective,” said Ramiro Prudencio, CEO Burson-Marsteller Europe, Middle East & Africa. Burson-Marsteller, part of WPP, opened its Norway operations in 1977.
 Devin Hughes |
Geben Communication has promoted Devin Hughes to business insights lead. Previously, he served as B2B practice lead and client services supervisor at the firm, which has offices in Columbus, OH and Chicago. Before that, he worked for Kansas City, MO-based Global Prairie. In his new role, Hughes will lead Geben’s recently launched insights/analytics service, which aims to help companies incorporate insight-driven strategies into their business planning.
 David Gough |
KemperLesnik has named David Gough vice president of sports and events. Gough comes to the agency from the managing director spot at the Boxing Marketing Arm, part of the International Boxing Association. Previously, he was global director marketing capability at Beverage Partners Worldwide. He has also led sports sales and marketing efforts at IMG Live and was director of sports marketing at the Coca-Cola Company. Gough joins KemperLesnik as it works to expand its portfolio of sports marketing and events properties, which includes the Maui Jim Maui Invitational college basketball tournament and McDonald’s All American Games. “David’s wealth of experience and knowledge of the sports marketing, events and activations industry will complement our team of sports marketing professionals,” said KemperLesnik CEO Steve Skinner.
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.
