 Karen Hobson |
The Walt Disney Company has named Karen Hobson senior VP, communications of its new direct-to-consumer and international segment. Hobson, who has been with Disney since 1997, was most recently VP, corporate communications for the Disney|ABC Television Group. Before coming to Disney, she held publicity positions at Cartoon Network and Hanna-Barbera Animation. She began her career at Wilkinson/Lipsman Public Relations. In her new post, Hobson will be responsible for overseeing all strategic communications efforts for DTCI, which serves as a global, multiplatform media, technology and distribution organization for the content created by Disney’s Studio Entertainment and Media Networks groups.
 Michael McGrath |
Reputation Partners has hired Michael McGrath as executive VP, based in the agency’s Chicago office. McGrath joins RP from private communications consulting practice Stakeholder Strategies, where he was president and founder. Before founding Stakeholder Strategies, he served as senior vice VP with FTI Consulting and VP at Hill & Knowlton. In his new position, McGrath will oversee several of the firm’s key client relationships and manage teams in a number of areas including media relations, issue advocacy, influencer engagement, executive visibility and corporate social responsibility.
 Michelle Baker |
Signal Group has hired Michelle Baker to join the firm as an executive VP. Baker joins Signal from Weber Shandwick/Powell Tate where she led the firm’s DC healthcare practice, overseeing a portfolio of government, industry and nonprofit clients. Before that, she worked at Chandler Chicco Agency/inVentiv Health and Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide. Baker has counseled many pharmaceutical companies, health systems and government agencies on complex policy, brand and market communications priorities. At Signal, Baker will leverage that experience in support of clients’ integrated public health and healthcare technology communications, policy communications, and national advocacy coalition management strategy and thought leadership.
 Erin Warady |
Idea Hall has brought on Bill Kauker as creative group director and Erin Warady as group director, consumer PR. Kauker leads Idea Hall’s creative department, serving as chief creative strategist responsible for growing the agency’s creative practice. He has worked as a brand/creative director for such brands as Apple, Taco Bell, XM Satellite Radio, Microsoft and Nissan. Before coming to Ideal Hall, Warady spent almost two decades at Paine PR/Citizen Relations, most recently as senior vp, consumer lifestyle. She leads Idea Hall’s consumer PR practice which includes the creation and execution of insight-driven media and influencer strategies and creative campaigns for the agency’s consumer clients.
FGS Global brings on HSBC's Jean-Manuel Richier as senior advisor to bolster its equity advisory, investor relations and transaction & financial communications capabilities across Europe... TEAM LEWIS names Danielle Malvesti SVP, strategy. Malvesti joins the agency from Cramer.... Durée & Company ups Abbie Lipton to vice president... LDWW promotes Micelle Poland, Channing Sizemore and Emma Stoneham to managing director.
Narrative Strategies hires Chris Bissex as a managing director. Bissex was most recently deputy director of public affairs for the Federal Trade Commission... Marino promotes Elizabeth Latino to COO and managing director.... The Charlotte Hornets hire Big 12 Conference chief brand & business officer Tyrel Kirkham as CMO.
Breakwater Strategy, a strategic insights and communications consultancy, brings on former CNN justice correspondent Jessica Schneider as a VP... Stratacomm, a DC-based firm, names Darren Scher chief operating and integration officer. Scher comes to the agency from Adfero, where he was most recently managing director... Dreamday hires Veronica Gauthier as SVP of growth... TextNow appoints Bonnie Herche as VP of marketing. Herche joins the company from Crain Communications.
DCI Group has hired Will Stevens, who has more than 20 years of
Imre names Fred Hickman EVP, group account lead. Hickman joins Imre from Klick, an agency that works with life sciences companies... Residence, a global network of creative companies, brings on Julian McBride as head of communications, a newly created role... Sherlock Communications, which has offices in Bogotå, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Santiago, appoints Bianca Boucault, Maria Amelia Costa and Patricia Zylberman as managing directors.
