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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.
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. 
Eitan Bencuya, who has more than 20 years of technology PR experience, has signed on with Brunswick Group as a partner in its San Francisco office.
DGA Group has lined up the former US ambassadors to Qatar and Saudi Arabia as senior advisors to help clients navigate that politically complex region.
Narrative Strategies names Adam Silverstein as managing director in New York. Silverstein was most recently head of media relations & thought leadership at Scient Public Relations... Mission North brings on Alex Hunter as EVP of health and innovation... Baird & Warner, a family-owned independent real estate services company that serves the Chicago area, appoints Jeanette Cutler as CMO.
