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| Will Hernandez |
BackBay Communications has brought on former American Banker technology reporter Will Hernandez as a media strategist. At American Banker, Hernandez reported on a variety of themes across commercial/business banking technology, technology innovation and implementation, and personal financial management. He also has experience writing for a number of payments publications, including Mobile Payments Today, PaymentsJournal, and PaymentsSource. In his new post, Hernandez will work with BackBay’s fintech clients, providing strategic counsel and supporting their integrated media relations and content development initiatives.
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| Ross Garner |
Konnect Agency has hired Ross Garner as associate vice president to lead its New York office. Garner comes to Konnect from New York-based public relations and marketing firm Media Maison, where he was chief operating officer. He also was a co-founder of Theatric Toys, a line of dress-up costumes for kids, which was sold nationwide at Target, Toys “R” Us and Saks Fifth Avenue. He has worked with brands in the family, lifestyle, beauty and celebrity-product categories. In addition to leading the New York office, Garner will work to bolster the agency’s offerings to its consumer lifestyle clients, play an integral role on the Konnect Agency executive team and lead several of the firm's existing accounts.
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| Kathleen Smith |
Austin, TX-based Elizabeth Christian Public Relations has promoted Kathleen Smith from senior vice president business affairs to chief financial officer. Smith has been with the firm since 1998. As CFO, she oversees the day-to-day management of the firm and is in charge of all financial matters and accounting, as well as coordinating HR benefits and building management. She also helps coordinate tech support, staff recruitment and on-boarding, ECPR has also named Levente McCrary executive vice president; promoted Erin Ochoa and David Wyatt to senior vice president; and moved Katherine Griffith and Lia Truitt to vice president positions. All promotions were effective Jan. 1.
Edelman names United Entertainment Group CEO Jarrod Moses as vice chairman. Moses will continue in his role at UEG... Burson brings on Matthew Wagner, who was most recently global client relationship manager and energy sector lead at Edelman, as EVP and global client leader... The Key PR appoints Jodi Maroney as principal. Maroney joins the agency after a 25-year run at Access Brand Communications.
Jeffrey Rosen, senior chair of the corporate department at legal firm Debevoise & Plimpton, joins FGS Global, where he will serve as senior advisor.
HUNTER brings on Lori Ruggiero as managing director of its corporate communications practice... Covo Intelligence, an independent research and intelligence firm, names Tony Cheevers director of strategic growth... MS NOW (formerly MSNBC) hires Brian Swarth as SVP of marketing, effective July 20. 
Whit Clay, who exited the Co-CEO slot at Sloane & Co. 18 months ago to head Longacre Square Partners’ New York office, has been promoted to serve as the first CEO of the financial communication shop.
Global Strategy Group names Claudio Taratuta as an EVP of the L@B, its in-house creative and media agency. Taratuta joins GSG from Praytell, where he was a founding team member... ROKK Solutions appoints Kris Havens as EVP of intel and insights. Havens was most recently a partner at Penta Group... Cliff House Maine brings on William Courtney Lowe as chief business development and brand strategist. Lowe joins Cliff House Maine from Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod, where he was VP of marketing & business development. 
