Lee Applbaum |
Lee Applbaum, former marketing chief for spirits giant Bacardi Limited, has joined global cannabis company Surterra Wellness, where he’s been named chief marketing officer.
Applbaum joins Surterra from Bacardi, where he served as the global chief marketing officer for both the Patrón Tequila and Grey Goose Vodka brands. Prior to that he was CMO for Target Australia, and before that, served as EVP and CMO at RadioShack and CMO at David’s Bridal.
Applbaum began his career as an account executive at the Coca-Cola Company.
As CMO, Applbaum will lead Surterra’s global marketing teams and direct product innovation, integrated brand marketing, retail brand and sales management initiatives. He’ll report to Surterra CEO William “Beau” Wrigley Jr.
Surterra, which was founded in 2014, is one of the fastest-growing medical cannabis companies in the U.S. The company, whose portfolio includes the Coral Reefer, Florida’s Finest and Surterra Wellness brands, has raised more than $300 million in private capital to date.

Lee Applbaum
Nick Clegg, who was global affairs president at Meta in a seven-year run, has joined London's Hiro Capital investment firm as a general partner.
Burson brings on Bruce Haynes, who served as global co-chairman of the crisis communications and issues management unit at FGS Global, as U.S. head of public affairs.
The Herald Group, a DC-based public affairs firm, brings on DDC Public Affairs SVP, creative director Brad Whitford as chief creative officer... Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute hires former Mastercard VP of marketing Dana Bodine as its first CMO... Reinsurance Group of America, a life and health reinsurer, appoints Ryan Krueger as SVP, investor relations, effective Jan. 5, 2026.
Edelman has named Anna Vogt, who is EMEA chief strategy officer at VML, as its
Pierpont Communications promotes Christine Rashman to VP and general manager of its Austin office and Sylvester Palacios to VP, based in San Antonio... Cision names Amy Jones CMO. Jones comes to Cision from the CMO post at Boeing Digital's Jeppesen ForeFlight division... Bazooka Brands, maker of Bazooka Bubble Gum and other candy products, appoints David Dreyer as CMO... Inspire, a Columbus, OH-based shop that works in the food and agriculture, restaurant and hospitality, pet care, trade association, and nonprofit sectors, brings on Emily Sword as VP and Meg Becker as senior director.



