 Mark Mortell |
FleishmanHillard has appointed Mark Mortell chief global client leadership officer. The move is part of the development of FH’s Global Client Leader initiative, which is geared toward meeting the challenges faced by international clients. Since 2011, Mortell has served as global leader for OneVoice – a coalition of Omnicom agencies supporting Philips, the health-tech powerhouse. Mortell joined FH’s Dublin office in 2002, leading the corporate and public affairs practice before adding international client work to his portfolio. Prior to joining FleishmanHillard, he led marketing teams at Bank of Ireland Group, Guinness and Aer Lingus, as well as serving a term as Irish Tourist Board chairman.
 Wajih Halawa |
Brunswick Group has brought six new directors into the partnership. Wajih Halawa, of Brunswick’s Dubai office, advises clients in the Middle East as well as coaching senior leaders in both English and Arabic on media and presentation skills. Iris Sibanda, who works in Johannes has worked on projects including Absa’s acquisition of Barclays Africa. Phil Drew and Simon Maine are based in London. As part of Brunswick’s Business & Society team, Drew has worked on issues-led campaigns for such companies as BP, Novo Nordisk and Rolls Royce. Maine advises clients on media, public affairs and campaign strategy, with a particular focus on companies in the power, renewables and smart energy sector. New York-based Blake Sonnenshein has developed and executed communications strategies for PepsiCo, Mars and Johnson & Johnson. Siobhan Gorman operates from D.C., where she specializes in cybersecurity-related issues including breach preparedness and breach crisis response.
 Kristin Cotich |
MGM has promoted Kristin Cotich from senior VP-communications to executive VP-worldwide communications. Cotich, who first joined MGM in 2013, is responsible for the development and execution of MGM’s communications and publicity strategies across its business units, which include Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures, MGM Worldwide Television Distribution and Orion Pictures. Before coming to MGM, she served as VP, corporate communications at Relativity Media and was director, global publicity for Walt Disney Motion Pictures. In addition, Emmy Chang is joining MGM as VP-theatrical publicity. Previously, she worked at Broad Green Pictures, Fox Searchlight, Relativity Media and Weinstein Co.
 Nikki D'Aleo |
Thompson & Bender has brought on Nikki D’Aleo as a senior account executive. D’Aleo comes to Thompson & Bender from Impact PR, where she led strategic visibility programs for such clients as Angry Orchard, Hudson Valley Restaurant Week and Gold’s Gym Dutchess County. In her new role, D’Aleo will develop and execute PR strategies for clients including NewYork-Presbyterian’s Westchester hospitals and residential developer Ginsburg Development Cos.
Chelsey Thomas, who was a VP at Booz Allen Hamilton and a professional staff member on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, is joining defense technology company AEVEX as VP of government affairs.
Finn Partners has named Fahlgren Mortine veteran Marty McDonald as managing partner and head of its new Columbus office.
The Next Solutions Group names Michelle Agnew as VP, reputation and issues management. Agnew joins NSG from The Coca-Cola Company, where she was director of strategic communications... Nebius, which works with startups and enterprises building AI products, agents and services, appoints Lindsey Irvine as CMO... Zeta Global, an intelligent AI infrastructure company, names Leah Pope CMO and Candace Dean chief communications officer.
SiriusXM recruits Paramount Pictures EVP, global communications Jenny Tartikoff to serve as SVP and head of communications, effective August 10.
West of Fairfax, which is in Los Angeles, appoints Scott Mallone as president. Mallone joins the agency from SHFT Labs... Codeword ups Brandon Carter to SVP, head of strategy... JOTO PR Disruptors names Nick Westcott head of establishment, working to improve coordination across departments, and helping each part of the agency operate with greater clarity, consistency and readiness for scale. 
