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| Jon Banner |
McDonald’s names Jon Banner EVP and global chief impact officer, effective September 6. Banner joins McDonald’s after spending 10 years with PepsiCo, where he most recently served as EVP, communications and president of the PepsiCo Foundation. He was previously at Disney/ABC, working as executive producer on programs including “World News Tonight” and “This Week.” In a memo sent to the McDonald’s global System, CEO Chris Kempczinski said, “Jon is the perfect leader to oversee our Sustainability & ESG, Government Relations and Public Policy, Communications and International Corporate Relations functions, as well as Ronald McDonald House Charities—building on the momentum of the Impact function as we strengthen and protect our reputation around the world.”
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| Courtney Thomas Barnes |
The Greater New Orleans Foundation names Courtney Thomas Barnes, VP-communications & PA. Barnes was most recently VP-communications at Berni Consulting. She has also served as communications manager for New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu and CCO for the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans. “Her passion for strategic communication and keen ability to build relationships with both internal and external stakeholders throughout our region make her the ideal person to take the helm of the Foundation’s public affairs and communications initiatives,” said GNO Foundation CEO Andy Kopplin.
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| John Dillon |
Denny’s moves John Dillon from the chief brand officer position at the restaurant chain to president of Denny’s Corporation. Dillon has been at Denny’s since 2007. Before that, he was CMO for the Houston Rockets. As Denny’s CMO, Dillon has heightened Denny’s America’s Diner brand positioning, launched the Denny’s on Demand delivery platform, and increased Denny’s purpose-led social responsibility impact. The company has also brought on Red Lobster chief financial officer David Schmidt as president of its Keke’s Breakfast Café unit. “John and David have distinguished track records within the restaurant industry and have demonstrated unwavering commitments to delivering exceptional guest experiences. They also are dedicated to talent development, operational rigor and technological transformation,” said Denny’s Corporation president and CEO Kelli Valade.
Hotwire Global appoints Burson global chief digital & intelligence officer Grant Toups as global CEO, effective in January.
Bader Rutter, which works with clients in the agriculture, food, beverage and pet care sectors, appoints Demar Anderson as CMO... Acceleration Community of Companies appoints Michael Moschella to lead its new insights division, ACC Intelligence... Luminate, a London-based shop focused on infrastructure and energy sectors, hires Osman Dervish as director—head of development... The Alpine Group promotes Alison Graab to principal from SVP.
Ballard Partners has hired Bernice Glenn Kissinger, who has focused on military and national security issues across the Indo-Pacific region, as partner and head of its new Honolulu office.
PAN appoints Zareen Fidlon as head of AI innovation, expanding her current role as SVP of integrated marketing... Alison Brod Marketing & Communications hires Ariel Moses as an SVP on its lifestyle team... Stratacomm names Kara Frank SVP and has appointed her to the firm’s executive leadership team... Nickerson promotes Alyssa Jewell to associate director, PR & communications, and Olivia Leese to associate director, design & brand.
FGS Global partner Jason Miner has joined TLG strategic communications and stakeholder engagement shop as a managing partner.
