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| Paul Knegten |
Outbrain, a recommendation platform for the open web, appoints Paul Knegten to the newly created position of chief marketing officer. Knegten was most recently executive director, marketing at Comcast’s CTV platform FreeWheel. Before that, he was CMO at Beeswax, which was acquired by FreeWheel last year. In his new post, Knegten will lead Outbrain’s global marketing initiatives, overseeing the company’s global and regional planning, development and execution of its strategic and product marketing programs and campaigns. “Paul is a talented, experienced and impressive addition to our executive team and the ideal person to drive our brand and global marketing,” said Outbrain co-CEO David Kostman.
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| France Desmarais |
Brunswick Group hires France Desmarais as a partner in its Abu Dhabi office. Desmarais will also serve as head of Brunswick Arts in the Gulf. She joins Brunswick from the the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, where she led the strategy for the creation of new museums in and around a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Prior to this, she was the founding scientific director and deputy executive director of the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas in Geneva. In her new post, Desmarais will provide counsel to clients on a range of critical issues facing the arts and culture sector. “France has a wealth of international experience and an extensive global network that will be enormously valuable to clients,” said Brunswick Group chief executive officer Neal Wolin.
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| Erick Evans, Michele Hill |
The Ramey Agency, which has offices in Jackson, MS, and New Orleans, promotes Erick Evans and Michelle Hill to partners of the firm. Evans and Hill have also acquired a minority ownership stake in the company, alongside current owner/partners Chris Ray and Edward Woods. Evans currently serves as Ramey’s director of client services and leads business development at the firm. Hill is Ramey’s director of operations. In their new roles, they will continue to be involved in strategic decision-making and in managing the firm’s day-to-day client needs and operations, while also working with the current partners on long-range growth plans for the agency. “They will serve as an integral part of the next generation of leadership at our firm,” said Ray.
Ballard Partners names former Burson managing director Mike Waterman as MD. Waterman comes to Ballard from ROKK Solutions... The Herald Group brings on Trace Scruggs and Evan Lukaske as VPs... Travelier, which operates platforms for booking intercity transportation services via buses, trains and ferries in 124 countries, appoints Mario Gavira as CMO. 
Raffetto Herman Strategic Communications brings on Jessica Gail, who served as director of communications for Rep. Eric Swalwell, as senior media lead... Prime Therapeutics appoints Katie Payne as chief external affairs officer, a newly created role. She was previously a senior director at APCO... Thunderly promotes Jason Weaver to director of paid media. 
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.
