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| Michael Burchell |
United Minds names Michael Burchell executive vice president. Burchell was most recently Middle East group managing director and CEO at Great Place to Work, the researching and consulting firm behind Fortune’s annual “100 Best Companies to Work For” list. Before that, he was an organization solutions expert at McKinsey & Company. At United Minds, Burchell will play a key role in solving clients’ workplace culture challenges and driving the consultancy’s portfolio of tools and methodologies. With a doctorate in social justice and diversity education, he will also join the team of experts behind the consultancy’s diversity, equity and inclusion offering. “His expertise and passion for building great workplaces will be crucial to our growth and ability to provide the best solutions for our clients,” said United Minds president Kate Bullinger.
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| Kalen Thornton |
Gatorade hires former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Kalen Thornton as chief marketing officer. Thornton joins the company from Nike, where he most recently served as North America vice president, men’s brand management. As Gatorade’s CMO, he will be charged with re-invigorating the brand, which recently announced the launch of Bolt24, its first new product platform in roughly two decades. “Kalen brings over a decade of experience leading breakthrough, athlete-centric marketing strategies. His extensive knowledge of the industry and background working with some of the most elite athletes in the world will help push Gatorade’s mission of fueling athletic performance,” said Gatorade vice president and general manager Brett O’Brien.
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| Jason Dressel |
History Factory promotes Jason Dressel to president, a newly created position. Dressel was previously a managing director at the firm. In his new post, he will partner with History Factory’s leadership team and founder, chairman and CEO Bruce Weindruch, to execute a long-term succession plan. “Jason’s promotion is not only a recognition of his considerable individual achievements. It is an organizational shift towards greater sophistication, more openness to new people and ideas, and a more assertive approach to the marketplace,” said Weindruch. History Factory works with organizations to help them leverage their history and heritage to enhance and transform strategy, brand positioning, marketing, and communications.
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| Michele Underwood |
Foodmix Marketing Communications brings on Michele Underwood as executive creative director.Underwood was previously a creative director at J. Walter Thompson, and has held creative posts at both Young & Rubicam and Cramer Krasselt. She will implement campaigns for such Foodmix B2B and B2C clients as Wesson Oil, Broaster Company, Smithfield Culinary, Chelan Fresh and B&W Quality Growers. “We were especially impressed with Michele’s strong track record of developing comprehensive campaigns that work together across all mediums to tell a story,” said Foodmix CEO Dan O’Connell. “Her attention to detail and understanding of what drives engagement—and ultimately ROI—drove our decision to have her lead our creative department.”
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. 
