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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.
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).
