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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.”
Ruder Finn hires Brent Mullins as SVP, talent and partnerships. Mullins joins the agency from 160over90, where he was VP, entertainment marketing... Allison Worldwide names Katie Huang Shin global president, technology, effective Nov. 14... Vasion, which provides serverless printing and AI-enabled automation, appoints Cindy White as CMO. 
Mod Op brings on John Powers and Alan Kipust as part of its Executive in Residence program, which already includes former Dun & Bradstreet chief data officer Monica Richter... Takeda Pharmaceuticals hires James-Denton Wyllie as head of R&D and external innovation communications... Veeam Software, which specializes in data resilience solutions, appoints Allison Cerra as CMO.
The Dallas Mavericks bring on Gina Miller as chief communications officer, a newly created role. She was previously with Major League Soccer team FC Dallas... Americans for the Arts, a nonprofit organization that advances arts advocacy, names Jamey Lundblad as CMO... Ambac Financial Group, an insurance holding company, names Karen Beyer managing director, head of investor relations.
Actum has hired Cecelia Prewett, who was president of DC Public Affairs at SKDK during a nearly 13-year run, as senior managing director in its Washington office.
Franz Paasche, who was most recently EVP for public affairs and communications at Columbia University, will join Verizon as EVP, corporate affairs, effective Nov. 10.
