 John Clarke |
Esports solutions provider Gfinity has appointed John Clarke as global brand and marcomms officer. Clarke joins Gfinity from Heineken, where he served as head of global communications. He was also senior commercial director at Lagunitas Brewing Company, a 100% owned subsidiary of Heineken. His previous positions include vice president, international communications at American Express and managing director at Burson-Marsteller. “John's focus on the consumer and ability to share stories in a compelling way will drive Gfinity forward,” said Gfinity executive chairman Garry Cook. Gfinity has partnerships with EA SPORTS, F1 Esports Series, Halo World Championship and the Forza Racing Championship.
 Alex Howe |
Cannabis company Harvest Health & Recreation has named Alex Howe head of corporate communications. Howe was previously president at Powerplant Global Strategies, a strategic partnerships, communications and investor relations firm focused on the legal cannabis industry, which he co-founded in 2016. He has also served as an account director at fama PR and a vice president at Global Strategy Group. At GSG, he worked with such clients as Google, Formula 1, UFC, Nestlé Waters, Time Warner and the New York Road Runners. In his new post, Howe will be responsible for managing and directing the company’s internal and external communications and strategy, reporting to Harvest Chief Marketing Officer Kevin George.
 Jeanine Krattiger |
Investment bank Carl Marks Advisors has promoted Jeanine Krattiger from marketing director to managing director. Krattiger has been with CMA since 2002, overseeing areas that include media relations, branding, website development, sponsorships, and internal and external communications. As managing director, she leads the firm’s strategic marketing and business development initiatives including events, brand awareness, content marketing, and digital and internal communications. CMA managing partner Duff Meyercord said that Krattiger’s “business and marketing acumen has been a driving force behind our ability to educate the market and reach new audiences.”
Actum has hired Cecelia Prewett, who was president of DC Public Affairs at SKDK during a nearly 13-year run, as senior managing director in its Washington office.
Franz Paasche, who was most recently EVP for public affairs and communications at Columbia University, will join Verizon as EVP, corporate affairs, effective Nov. 10.
Horizon Family Brands, which includes Horizon Organic and Wallaby Organic yogurt, hires Andrew Springate as CMO... Wake Tech, a Raleigh, NC community college that serves over 70000 adults annually, brings on Lisa Marie Ferrell, who previously led North America communications at Lenovo, as VP of communications and marketing... Golin brings on executive creative director Meg Farquhar in Chicago, and EVPs of strategy Tom Howells (Western Region) and Martin Coomber (New York).
Hotwire Global appoints Burson global chief digital & intelligence officer Grant Toups as global CEO, effective in January.
Bader Rutter, which works with clients in the agriculture, food, beverage and pet care sectors, appoints Demar Anderson as CMO... Acceleration Community of Companies appoints Michael Moschella to lead its new insights division, ACC Intelligence... Luminate, a London-based shop focused on infrastructure and energy sectors, hires Osman Dervish as director—head of development... The Alpine Group promotes Alison Graab to principal from SVP.
