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| Joel Curran |
The University of Southern California hires Joel Curran, a former managing director at MSLGROUP, as SVP and CCO, effective July 10. Curran is currently VP of PA and communications at Notre Dame and before that he was vice chancellor of communications at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In his new role, Curran will promote USC’s researchers, students and faculty in addition to driving engagement between the university, the Los Angeles community and the world. “In Joel Curran, we have a nationally respected higher education communications innovator,” said USC president Carol Folt. Curran worked for Folt when he was at UNC-Chapel Hill.
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| Allison Matthews, Jenna Matthews |
Comsint brings on Allison Matthews and Jenna Matthews (the two are not related) as executive VPs. Allison Matthews joins the agency from FleishmanHillard, where she was a senior vice president. She was previously a VP at Weber Shandwick and has also worked at Ketchum. Jenna Matthews was most recently a senior VP at Weber Shandwick and was previously at MSLGROUP. “Both bring deep experience in strategy and media relations across the consumer, corporate, food, healthcare, and tech sectors. They are the perfect additions to our team,” said Comsint president and founder Nick Puleo.
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| Benal Serin |
The Wonderful Company, which sells a range of products including fruits, nuts, flowers, water, wines and juices, hires former Revlon VP of marketing Benal Serin as senior VP of marketing, starting in mid-June. Serin was most recently CMO at Profectus Beauty. In her new role, she will be responsible for leading all marketing efforts in Wonderful’s product portfolio, working to build brand growth strategies and drive customer engagement, as well overseeing flavor innovation. “Benal is an exceptional leader with a strong track record of success,” said Wonderful Company president of advertising and corporate communications Michael Perdigao.
Seven Letter hires Allie Raffa, who was most recently White House correspondent for NBC News, as a senior director... Points of Light, an organization founded by President George H.W. Bush that is dedicated to volunteer service, names Jeff Zanelli as CMO... Frontieras North America, an energy and environmental technology company, appoints Nora Shepard as VP of communications.
Alcoa has named Emily Olson, who has more than 20 years of experience working in capital-intensive industries in the Americas, Europe and Asia, EVP & chief external affairs officer, effective April 6.
Longacre Square Partners has named Humza Vanderman partner and head of its London outpost as the financial communications firm expands into Europe.
FGS Global adds former Pfizer EVP and chief corporate affairs officer Sally Susman to its global executive board as an independent member, effective April 1... Codeword brings on Kim Baffi, who was previously Salesforce VP and creative director, as executive creative director... Amperity, an AI-powered customer data cloud, appoints Bridget Perry as CMO.
MOIA America, a Volkswagen Group of America subsidiary that develops and tests autonomous, all-electric ride-pooling vehicles, names Marcus Gamo head of U.S. communications... Continental Strategy brings on Francisco Petrirena as VP in its Miami office. Petrirena was previously chief of staff to former Miami city manager Art Noriega... MSQ Sport + Entertainment brings on Lauren Weil as EVP, Max Hirsch as VP of sponsorship, and Brooke Losee as VP.
