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| Alexis Stephens |
ProPublica has hired Alexis Stephens as public relations director. Stephens joins ProPublica from economic and social equity-focused think tank PolicyLink, where she was a senior communications associate, developing and executing outreach strategies and messaging for the nonprofit’s research. She was previously a journalism fellow for the urban affairs news organization Next City. Stephens specializes in strategic communications, storytelling and media engagement that centers on the voices and lived experiences of communities of color. At ProPublica, she will spearhead the efforts to expand the reach and impact of the organization’s journalism through PR, partnerships and other strategies.
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| Chip Scarinzi |
Hill+Knowlton Strategies has appointed Chip Scarinzi senior vice president, technology in the U.S., based in San Francisco. Scarinzi joins H+K from Ketchum where, as senior vice president, he helped to build the company’s tech presence in the Bay Area and across the network. He was previously with H+K as an account coordinator in its New York office. H+K global president Richard Millar said that Scarinzi “has an 18-year track record of helping tech and consumer brands tell better stories, and his passion for storytelling is ideal for driving H+K’s growth strategy.”
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| Ben Cowles |
ARPR has brought on Ben Cowles as senior demand generation director, a newly created position. His hiring follows a rapid growth in the agency’s digital portfolio. Cowles was previously VP account director at Digitas North America. He has also served as a partner at OgilvyOne Worldwide, as well as director of its 360 Degree Program. Cowles has worked with such clients as United Healthcare and Comcast, for whom he led customer acquisition direct marketing for its Xfinity Mobile service. ARPR says that more than 55 percent of its clients currently use inbound marketing and lead generation service offerings.
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| (L-R) Mike Schatz, Jennifer Lewow, Dale Bump |
Hothouse has promoted Dale Bump, one of the agency’s founders, to executive vice president of brand strategy. Bump previously served as creative director. The agency has also hired Mike Schatz as VP/group creative director and Jennifer Lewow as design director. Schatz comes to Hothouse from Blue Sky Agency, where he was a creative director, writer and producer. Lewow was previously a design director at Wunderman Thompson, where she worked with companies including Shell, Pennzoil, the Atlanta Falcons, Spirit Airlines and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. “Mike and Jennifer will play pivotal roles in elevating our storytelling and design capabilities in partnership with Dale,” said Hothouse president Jon Katinsky.
MOIA America, a Volkswagen Group of America subsidiary that develops and tests autonomous, all-electric ride-pooling vehicles, names Marcus Gamo head of U.S. communications... Continental Strategy brings on Francisco Petrirena as VP in its Miami office. Petrirena was previously chief of staff to former Miami city manager Art Noriega... MSQ Sport + Entertainment brings on Lauren Weil as EVP, Max Hirsch as VP of sponsorship, and Brooke Losee as VP.
Burson promotes EMEA COO Matt Buchanan to global chief social and Influence officer, a newly created role... Seedtag, a “global neuro-contextual advertising company,” brings on former Edelman SVP, corporate and public affairs Brendan McCarthy as chief marketing & communications officer... The Associated Press ups Lauren Easton to SVP and chief communications officer.
USAA, which provides insurance, banking and retirement solutions for members of the US and their families, names Chris Curtin as CMO... Hemlo Mining, a Canadian gold producer, appoints Jason Banducci as VP, corporate development & investor relations... rbb Communications promotes four senior executives to SVP. 
LLYC names Federico Isuani AI strategy general director in the Americas, with Jesús Moradillo taking on the same role in Europe... DGA Group brings on Corry Jacobs as a partner. Jacobs comes to DGA from GSK, where she headed up the company’s Corporate Affairs for Business Strategy unit... MAD Global Strategy Group brings on Bridget McAuliffe as SVP in its Ohio office.
Pentagon veteran Tony Johnson, who has more than 30 years of defense and intelligence community experience, has joined Purposeful Advisors in Washington.
