Michael Rinaldo
Michael Rinaldo

Interdependence Public Relations has brought on Michael Rinaldo as president, global health business. Rinaldo comes to Interdependence from dna Communications, part of the IPG and Weber Shandwick network, where he served as executive vice president & general manager. He was previously managing director, global healthcare at FleishmanHillard. At Interdependence, Rinaldo will be responsible for driving business strategy, delivering senior counsel, growing healthcare client relationships and strengthening the agency’s position and influence in the global healthcare business arena. “What excites me about Interdependence is its commitment to high-impact client relationships which start with a media engagement approach that leverages predictive analytics and AI to secure results,” he said.

Barbara Messing
Barbara Messing

Online gaming platform Roblox has named Barbara Messing chief marketing & employee experience officer. Messing was formerly senior vice president & chief marketing officer at Walmart. She has also served as CMO at TripAdvisor and vice president, customer experience at internet travel platform Hotwire. In her new post, Messing will oversee the development of the company’s brand strategy. She will report to Roblox co-founder and CEO Dave Baszucki. Directed at users under the age of 18, the platform says it has more than 150 million players worldwide.

Patrice Varni
Patrice Varni

Dermstore, an online beauty retailer, has hired Patrice Varni as chief marketing officer. Varni was previously chief customer officer at Correlle Brands, where she helped make the company’s legacy brands relevant to younger consumers. She has also served as chief customer officer at Arhaus Furniture, senior vice president of marketing for Tempur Sealy Brands and held marketing leadership roles at Levi Strauss. In her new role, Varni will be responsible for developing digital and brand transformations for Dermstore.

Ariel Walsh-Amand
Ariel Walsh-Amand

Anchorage-based Thompson & Co. Public Relations has promoted Ariel Walsh-Amand to chief operating officer, one of four women who have been appointed to the agency’s senior management team. Walsh-Amand has been with the agency for 11 years, and in her new position she will further contribute to its overall strategic direction and decision making. Ally Day, who has been with Thompson & Co for 10 years (most recently as senior account manager) will now serve as vice president, client services. The firm has also promoted Kailee Wallis, a founding member of its digital team, to digital director and has named Bri Kelly senior account manager. “Each of these women started at T&C as an intern or entry-level account coordinator, and I’m so proud and eager to see how their leadership will shape the future of the agency in their new positions,” said T&C president and CEO Jennifer Thompson.