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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.
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. 
