Rema Vasan
Rema Vasan

Marina Maher Communications has appointed Rema Vasan as EVP, chief innovation officer. Vasan joins MMC from MSLGROUP, where she served as EVP and global lead on both the Procter & Gamble account and for MSL Fluency, the agency’s influencer offering. She was previously director, global digital strategy for Pfizer Consumer Healthcare and SVP, global digital group account director at Publicis. In her initial remit, Vasan will oversee MMC’s brand engagement group and lead the charge to create a practice centered on consumer tech. In addition, she will oversee and develop the agency’s corporate brand practice. “Throughout her career, Rema has rapidly innovated and applied new approaches and technology to marketing challenges, creating industry firsts that deliver stellar business results,” said CEO Marina Maher.

Samantha Stark
Samantha Stark

Endeavor Global Marketing has brought on Samantha Stark as EVP of public relations. Stark comes to EGM from Ketchum, where she was part of the senior leadership team for the agency’s technology practice. At Ketchum, she also launched and led the travel and tourism specialty, was a key member of the digital innovation counsel, and led work for clients including IBM, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, The Hertz Corporation and the Entertainment Software Association. She previously was a vice president at Burson-Marsteller, and held executive positions at Rubenstein Public Relations and Hunter PR. In her new post, Stark leads EGM’s global PR group. Stark’s hire comes as EGM announces its new leadership team, which also includes Robin Clarke, Bill Decker, Michele Thornton Ghee, Bryan Icenhower, Seth Matlins, Nick Phelps and Ryan Wagman.

Lauren Bernat
Lauren Bernat

rbb Communications has named Lauren Bernat an equity partner in the firm. Bernat currently serves as vice president of account services for rbb’s advertising division. She has worked with such brands as Brown & Brown Insurance, Inc., Celebrity Cruises, Jackson Health System, Macy’s Florida, Royal Caribbean International, the Florida Keys and Key West, and University of Miami athletics.“Lauren’s strategic and creative insights are critical to giving clients a complete picture of integrated marketing opportunities and she never settles for less than incredible results,” said Christine Barney, CEO and managing partner with rbb.

Jack de Vries
Jack de Vries

Hill+Knowlton Strategies has promoted Jack de Vries to CEO of the Netherlands. De Vries has been with H+K since 2011, serving as a board director and leader of the public affairs practice of the agency’s Dutch operations. Before coming to H+K, he ran his own communications business, and he has also been an associate partner at Boer & Croon Corporate Communication. From 2007 to 2010, he was state secretary of defense for the Netherlands. “Jack is an excellent client counselor and has proven his exceptional leadership abilities during his eight years with us,” said H+K Strategies global president Lars Erik Grønntun.