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| Kathleen Saxton |
Omnicom Group names Kathleen Saxton chief marketing officer. Saxton was most recently managing director EMEA at MediaLink, responsible for strategic consulting, agency selection, talent advisory, marketing and sales. Previously, she ran her own talent advisory firm, The Lighthouse, and held marketing positions at Sky Television and Saatchi. "Kathleen steps into this role with a deep understanding of the solutions that modern global clients want in order to succeed in a transformed consumer world," said Omincom Group president and COO Daryl Simm.
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| George Spencer |
BackBay Communications tabs agency vice president George Spencer to lead its impact investing & ESG team, a newly created position. Before joing BackBay in January, Spencer was senior manager, communications at the Global Impact Investing Network. He was previously a broadcast journalist, including more than six years reporting for NBC News in Philadelphia and New York. In his new post, Spencer will oversee a dedicated team of professionals focused helping BackBay’s mission-driven clients shape their integrated communications programs. "George’s expertise and passion for impact investing communications has been a great asset in bolstering the deep experience and credibility we have accumulated over years of partnering with impact investing firms," said BackBay founder and CEO Bill Hayes.
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| Makini Nyanteh |
The American Institutes for Research promotes Makini Nyanteh to SVP and CCO. Nyanteh was most recently vp for communications and public affairs at the organization. Before joining AIR, she held senior communications posts at AstraZeneca, MedImmune and Wachovia Securities. In her new position, Nyanteh will continue to lead AIR’s corporate communications, marketing and engagement, and strategic communications functions, while leading its expanded focus on policy and influencer outreach and corporate social responsibility. “She has brought a strategic mindset and focus to our communications functions and eminence-building activities and has helped AIR navigate a time of tremendous change,” said AIR president and CEO David Myers.
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| Taylor Osumi |
Konnect Agency hires Taylor Osumi as VP. Osumi was most recently west coast vice president at Los Angeles-based Autumn Communications. She has worked with brands including Amazon, General Motors, LinkedIn, and McDonald's. In her new post, Osumi will help lead the agency's cross-functional teams across all public relations and digital capabilities. "Taylor brings seasoned expertise in executing the highly effective campaigns we are known to deliver for our clients," said Konnect Agency president Amanda Bialek.
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.
Actum has hired Cecelia Prewett, who was president of DC Public Affairs at SKDK during a nearly 13-year run, as senior managing director in its Washington office.
Franz Paasche, who was most recently EVP for public affairs and communications at Columbia University, will join Verizon as EVP, corporate affairs, effective Nov. 10.
Horizon Family Brands, which includes Horizon Organic and Wallaby Organic yogurt, hires Andrew Springate as CMO... Wake Tech, a Raleigh, NC community college that serves over 70,000 adults annually, brings on Lisa Marie Ferrell, who previously led North America communications at Lenovo, as VP of communications and marketing... Golin brings on executive creative director Meg Farquhar in Chicago, and EVPs of strategy Tom Howells (Western Region) and Martin Coomber (New York).
