People on the Move

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.