On the Move: Padilla Promotes Morton to SVP, Channels

Rosalie Morton

Padilla promotes Rosalie Morton to senior vice president, channels. Morton has been with the agency since 2010, most recently serving as vp, channels. Under her leadership, the channels team has more than tripled in size. She oversees the agency’s paid media, social media, and media relations specialist teams, developing connection strategies and integrated marketing programs for clients. “Rosalie is the quintessential next-generation leader, and her contemporary approach and valuable experience will help assure that every client program benefits from a digital-first connection strategy,” said Padilla president Matt Kucharski.

Adriana Lurz

Strategic Objectives promotes Adriana Lurz to president. Lurz, who became a partner at the Toronto-headquartered agency in 2021, has most recently served as senior vice president. She will continue to lead its crisis/issues management team, contribute to client relationships and account strategies, while providing leadership to the agency’s team. Agency co-founders Deborah Weinstein and Judy Lewis will remain active in the agency, serving in an advisory capacity on strategy, creative direction and agency projects as well as collaborating with specific clients. “We have always been committed to communications excellence and Adriana is set to advance this tradition with innovation, passion, and the style of compassionate leadership that inspires both our team and our clients,” said Lewis.

Katy Varney

MP&F Strategic Communications partner Katy Varney, who has been with the firm for 30 years, is retiring, effective March 31. Before coming to MP&F, Varney worked on the White House staffs of First Lady Rosalynn Carter and Vice President Walter Mondale and was chief legislative liaison for Tennessee governor Ned McWherter. At MP&F, she led communications and marketing efforts for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Job Corps program, the firm’s largest client, for over 25 years. “Katy broke the glass ceiling at MP&F by becoming the firm’s first female partner,” said agency managing partner Jennifer Brantley, managing partner. “She paved the way for Alice Chapman, Mary Elizabeth Davis, Knight Stivender, Kate Chinn and me to become partners, and for MP&F to now be a woman-owned business.”

Jess Rees

Red Lorry Yellow Lorry has appointed Jess Rees to head up its Austin office and lead its enterprise tech practice, alongside head of enterprise IT Justin Ordman. Rees most recently served as president at Publicity.im, a PR consultancy working with b2b tech companies, venture-backed start-ups, and thought leaders in the tech space. At RLYL, she and Ordman will oversee day-to-day client servicing and spearhead strategy for international enterprise tech clients. She will also be instrumental in expanding the lorries’ Austin office, which opened in January 2022. “Her tenacity and no-nonsense approach have made her a hit with teams and clients alike,” said RLYL head of North America Meredith L. Eaton.