Kate O'Donnell
Kate O'Donnell

U.S. News & World Report appoints Kate O'Donnell as VP of communications, a newly created role. O'Donnell was most recently SVP of marcom and brand strategy at MCI. Prior to MCI, she served in multiple roles at Disney-ABC Television Group and held PR positions at healthcare and education organizations. In her new position, she will be responsible for leading the company's integrated communications functions – including PR, social media and internal communications. "Kate will play a pivotal role in expanding U.S. News' internal and external communications and brand strategy, building upon the work of our dynamic communications team," said U.S.News editor and chief content officer Kim Castro.

Shaun Leavy
Shaun Leavy

Bospar hires Shaun Leavy as a VP. Leavy comes to Bospar from Braya Agency, where he was a SVP. He was previously an account director at MWW Group. He has developed PR and influencer strategy for such brands as Heineken-owned Tecate, Red Stripe and Tiger Beer; Brown-Forman's tequila portfolio; Samsung Mobile and Gold's Gym. In his new role, Leavy will provide strategic counsel to clients, focusing on helping to lead and grow Bospar's practice area dedicated to tech within the marketing, advertising and HR industries. "Shaun is particularly adept in creating and shaping comprehensive media strategies that have frequently landed his clients in some of the most coveted media outlets around," said Bospar co-founder and principal Curtis Sparrer.

Cara Whitley
Cara Whitley

PPLSI, parent company of the LegalShield and IDShield apps, names Cara Whitley chief marketing officer. Whitley joins the company from real estate brand Century 21, where she also served as CMO. She was previously CMO at Squaw Valley Ski Holdings, and held several executive positions at American Express. At PPLSI, Whitley will oversee marketing and advertising creative, media planning and buying, and will work across departments to develop new product benefits and features for members and customers. She will also oversee LegalShield's first brand marketing campaign, expected to launch the first half of 2022. "Cara brings a tremendous digital, loyalty, and retention acumen and her brand work in revitalizing Century21 is proof of her extraordinary capabilities," said PPLSI chief executive officer Jeff Bell.