 Caroline Black |
March Communications named Caroline Black director of digital strategy. Black joins the firm from Porter Novelli, where she was responsible for developing and driving integrated communications campaigns for such clients as Analog Devices, MathWorks, OrthoLite, Duracell and LEGO Education. Prior to Porter, she developed strategic social media programs at Matter. At March, she will oversee the agency’s digital approach and offer, rounding out its existing suite of services across insights and research, content, influencer engagement and PR.
 Caitlin McGee |
MPRM Communications promoted Caitlin McGee to VP and Natalie Yallouz to executive director. McGee, who has been with the company since 2007, leads publicity efforts for clients in its television and home entertainment practices, including DreamWorks Animation Television, NBC’s “The Voice” and “World of Dance” and Showtime Documentary Films. She also leads MPRM’s television awards team. In her new role, she will serve as head of the agency’s television practice. Yallouz leads publicity efforts for clients in the agency’s digital media and technology practice including Google Play, AT&T Hello Lab and Sharp Electronics. Before coming to MPRM, she was a director at Goodhatch, a design-driven product and brand incubator. As executive director, she will continue to focus on the agency’s digital practice.
 Elvis Liu |
DeVries Global hired Elvis Liu as VP, digital, China and Robi Yu as director, e-commerce, China, a newly created position. The appointments are intended to bolster the firm’s growth in China. Liu comes to DeVries from WPP agency POSSIBLE, China, where he served as senior operation director. He has also held executive positions at DigitasLBi and and the Boston Consulting Group. At DeVries, Liu will lead the digital practice and be responsible for the integration of digital strategies and campaign development into client work. An e-commerce marketing and online shopping analytics specialist, Yu has developed campaigns for such brands as Unilever, L’Oreal and Chevron. In his new role, he will be responsible for content marketing to drive sales on e-commerce platforms.
 Ryan Bowling |
The Wonderful Company, which produces and markets such products as Wonderful Pistachios and FIJI Water, brought on Ryan Bowling as VP, PR and corporate communications. Bowling comes to the company from FleishmanHillard in San Francisco/Silicon Valley, where he was senior VP and partner, leading the technology practice while supporting clients including Verifone, GM, Samsung and VISA. Before that, he oversaw the global press office and digital media for Mars, Inc. In his new position, Bowling will oversee all media relations, executive messaging, nutrition and CSR communications, corporate events and crisis response. “His expansive knowledge of the media landscape will help us devise meaningful PR campaigns and drive effective messaging on behalf of Wonderful brands, products and programs” said Michael Perdigao, president of advertising and corporate communications at The Wonderful Company.
Seven Letter hires Allie Raffa, who was most recently White House correspondent for NBC News, as a senior director... Points of Light, an organization founded by President George H.W. Bush that is dedicated to volunteer service, names Jeff Zanelli as CMO... Frontieras North America, an energy and environmental technology company, appoints Nora Shepard as VP of communications.
Alcoa has named Emily Olson, who has more than 20 years of experience working in capital-intensive industries in the Americas, Europe and Asia, EVP & chief external affairs officer, effective April 6.
Longacre Square Partners has named Humza Vanderman partner and head of its London outpost as the financial communications firm expands into Europe.
FGS Global adds former Pfizer EVP and chief corporate affairs officer Sally Susman to its global executive board as an independent member, effective April 1... Codeword brings on Kim Baffi, who was previously Salesforce VP and creative director, as executive creative director... Amperity, an AI-powered customer data cloud, appoints Bridget Perry as CMO.
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.
