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| Brenda Urban |
Fairmont Century Plaza has named Brenda Urban director of public relations. Urban was previously a vice president at Lou Hammond Group and director of communications at Klick Communications. She has represented all facets of the hospitality industry, including tourism boards, resort groups, hotels and transportation. In her new role, Urban will be spearheading all public relations and communications campaigns for digital and traditional media. Following a restoration by architect Minoru Yamasaki, the hotel is set to open this spring as part of a $2.5 billion mixed-use development project including two 44-story towers with 268 privately-owned luxury residences, and 95,000 square feet of shopping and restaurants.
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| Wendy Orthman |
Infiniti Motor Company has promoted Wendy Orthman to general manager of Infiniti global communications, effective April 1. She succeeds Trevor Hale, who will remain in the role until March 31. Orthman will be based in Yokohama, Japan. She currently manages product lifecycle, lifestyle and brand communications for Nissan North America, working out of Nashville. (Infiniti is the luxury division of Nissan.) Before coming to Nissan in 2015, Orthman served as Midwest PR manager for Chrysler and worked in product communications for General Motors. In her new post, she will lead Infiniti Communications worldwide as the brand transitions to its new global headquarters in Yokohama. “Wendy’s energy, creativity and depth of experience will be essential in leading our global communications efforts as we craft the narrative for the future of the Infiniti brand," said Infiniti Motor Company deputy chairman Michael Colleran.
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| Manvir Kalsi |
Lippe Taylor has hired Manvir Kalsi as senior vice president, insights & planning. Kalsi previously served as head of consumer & market insights at Samsung Electronics America. Prior to Samsung, he was a research analyst at Knowledge Networks (GFK) where his clients included Novartis, Pepsi, Burger King, Procter & Gamble, Colgate, Home Depot, SIRIUS, Walmart and CarMax. At Lippe Taylor, he will be leading the Insights & Planning team, which includes analytics, qualitative and quantitative research and customized strategic solutions for clients. He will report into agency chief integration officer Lori Rubinson, who oversees its integrated offerings, including influencer marketing, analytics, earned media, strategy and planning.
SKDK makes Loren Riegelhaupt, Michael Czin and Julie Andreeff Jensen agency partners... Coca-Cola Company promotes Gary McElyea to lead its pan-European Public Policy & Government Affairs agenda, and Sophia Chrysopoulou to serve as head of EU public affairs... Rithum, a commerce solutions provider, appoints Kim Miller as CMO and head of global strategy. 
Renault Group brings on Paul Michon as corporate communications director, effective Sept. 1. He joins from Kering, the luxury goods marketer.
Mara Motherway, who was
Avoq has recruited advertising pro Jillian Goger as senior VP/group creative director in its New York office.
SBM Partners, a Tallahassee-based government affairs firm, brings on Kevin Cleary as a partner. Cleary most recently served as VP of government relations at Allegiant Strategies Group.... WHOOP, which offers a wearable device providing health guidance across sleep, recovery, strain, fitness and longevity, names Dirk-Jan "DJ" van Hameren as CMO.... Dunn Pellier Media, a PR agency working with clients in the health and wellness sector, promotes Erica Gutierrez from account executive to senior account executive.
