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| Sasha Damouni Ellis |
Marinus Pharmaceuticals, which develops therapeutics to treat orphan seizure disorders, has appointed Sasha Damouni Ellis as vice president, investor relations and corporate communications. Damouni Ellis joins Marinus from Bayer US, where she was director of external communications and media relations, driving external brand-building strategies in therapeutic areas of oncology, hemophilia, cardio-pulmonary, and women’s health. She was previously a senior healthcare journalist at Bloomberg News, as well as launching and serving as global editor of BioPharm Insight, formerly a division of the Financial Times Group. In her new role, Damouni Ellis will lead strategic investor relations and communications programs, and will work closely with investors, employees, advocacy groups, patient organizations and the media.
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| Joe Hodas |
Wana Brands, which produces cannabis edibles, has hired Joe Hodas as chief marketing officer, a newly created position. Hodas was previously CEO at Gofire, which develops hardware and software Internet protocols for plant-based medicine and mainstream healthcare companies. Before that, he was chief operating officer at General Cannabis Corporation. Hodas has also been senior director of corporate communications at Frontier Airlines, and has worked at Vladimir Jones and Ogilvy Public Relations. At Wana, he is tasked with working to generate revenue by creating marketing campaigns for the organization, as well as supporting new market expansion, partnerships, government relations and innovation within the company.
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| Jon Harmon |
Virtas Partners has brought on Jon Harmon as director. Harmon previously served as vice president at executive search and leadership development firm Heidrick & Struggles, where he led global communications. Before that he was vice president, communications at commercial and military truck and engine manufacturer Navistar-International. Earlier in his career, he served in a variety of roles at Ford Motor Company, including head of communications for Ford Truck. At Virtas, Harmon will lead the firm’s strategic communications services. “Jon’s exceptional experience in crisis communications and reputation management will be especially valuable to our clients during these times of great social, business and economic uncertainty,” said Virtas co-founder and managing partner Tim Czmiel.
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. 
Eitan Bencuya, who has more than 20 years of technology PR experience, has signed on with Brunswick Group as a partner in its San Francisco office.
DGA Group has lined up the former US ambassadors to Qatar and Saudi Arabia as senior advisors to help clients navigate that politically complex region.
Narrative Strategies names Adam Silverstein as managing director in New York. Silverstein was most recently head of media relations & thought leadership at Scient Public Relations... Mission North brings on Alex Hunter as EVP of health and innovation... Baird & Warner, a family-owned independent real estate services company that serves the Chicago area, appoints Jeanette Cutler as CMO.
