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| Wendy Orthman |
INFINITI Motor Company promotes Wendy Orthman to general manager of global integrated brand, marketing and communications, a newly created position that merges the responsibilities of chief marketing and chief communications officer. Orthman was previously global head of communications for the brand. Before coming to INFINITI, she was midwest PR manager at Chrysler. In her new post, Orthman will direct the company's global brand, marketing, social media and communications strategy. “Wendy has a flair for big, convention-breaking ideas,” said INFINITI global brand general manager, sales and marketing Olga Filippova. "In addition to pushing boundaries and challenging what's possible with a level of energy, tenacity and good humor that we value, Wendy embodies the human-first approach that sets INFINITI apart."
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| Sammy Totah |
BOCA Communications names Sammy Totah as partner. Totah previously served as senior vice president and B2B enterprise high-tech practice lead at the firm. Prior to joining the BOCA team in 2010, he worked on the production side of Fox Broadcasting Company, and was also at Golin Harris. In his new role as partner, Totah will work to uplevel BOCA’s product offerings and services, expanding the organization's ecosystem, brand recognition and growth. BOCA Communications CEO and founder Kathleen Shanahan cited Totah’s “business acumen and understanding of client service, as well as his positive attitude and creative spirit,” as key to his success at the agency.
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| Wendy Watkins |
Hormel Foods Corporation promotes Wendy Watkins to the new post of senior vice president and chief communications officer for its worldwide operations. Watkins came to Hormel Foods in 2015 as vice president of corporate communications. She was previously vice president, corporate communications at food service and hospitality company Delaware North. As Hormel’s CCO, Watkins continues to oversee corporate reputation, internal and external communications, corporate social responsibility and issues management across the organization. In addition, she oversees the company’s charitable trust and consumer response and engagement group, along with its creative studios. “Since joining Hormel Foods six years ago, Wendy has built a world-class communications team and elevated the global reputation of Hormel Foods,” said Hormel president and CEO Jim Snee.
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| Valeria Carrasco |
The Door | idea house, the lifestyle public relations and marketing subsidiary of Dolphin Entertainment, hires Valeria Carrasco to lead its integrated marketing team. Carrasco was previously vice president at Covet, managing its New York office. “Valeria brings a wealth of experience to The Door that will help us continue to attract new projects and strong talent. Plus, her previous experience bridging traditional media with emerging digital offerings positions our Integrated Marketing team to become even more nimble and valuable to our client partners,” said agency co-founder Charlie Dougiello.
Sphere Entertainment Co., an entertainment holding company that owns the Sphere event venue in Nevada and New York-based regional sports network chain MSG Networks, names Karen Laureano-Rikardsen global head of corporate marketing and communications... Fender Musical Instruments Corporation appoints Christina Stejskal as chief communications officer, a new position at the company... Herringbone, a digital marketing platform backed by Trinity Hunt Partners, names Dan Hinckley head of AI.
DGA Group has added Hilton alum Jonas Neihardt as a senior advisor to bolster its hospitality, travel and tourism offering.
Ed Harnaga, who most recently served as SVP, chief marketing and communications officer at Pfizer, joins Vantage Data Centers, which provides hyperscale data center campuses, in the chief marketing and communications officer spot.
Lucas Public Affairs, a Sacramento-based firm, adds Sallie Poggi, who has worked at both FleishmanHillard and APCO, as a VP. Most recently, Poggi was chief communications officer at the University of the Pacific... Allied Universal, a security and facility services company, brings on Melissa Butler as VP of communications. She was at Burson... Talk Shop Media, a firm that operates in Canada and the U.S., specializing in PR, corporate communications and social media, promotes Stuart Martin to managing director of its U.S West Coast operations.
The Estée Lauder Companies names Madeleine Boyd SVP, global brand communications. Most recently, she served as global SVP, beauty & wellness at Together Group... Cohen & Steers, a global investment manager specializing in real assets and alternative income, names Erik Schneberger as EVP, chief marketing officer... CooperVision, a contact lens company, brings on former Bayer VP Brenda Raphael as VO of marketing, Americas.
