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| Mona Dessouki |
Principal Asset Management hires Mona Dessouki as CMO. Dessouki comes to the company from J.P. Morgan Asset Management, where she most recently served as head of acquisition marketing and digital experience. She previously held senior marketing and strategy positions at Barnes & Noble, ToysRUs and AOL. In her new position, Dessouki will be responsible for driving global marketing efforts across key market segments, heading up an asset management marketing team across the US, Europe and Asia. “Mona brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and perspectives to Principal, all of which will help elevate our marketing strategy to reach and engage current and prospective clients with Principal,” said Principal Asset Management senior executive managing director and global head of product and marketing Ellen Shumway.
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| Robin Calleja, Kelcey McClung |
Seven Letter adds Robin Calleja and Kelcey McClung to its team of communicators as managers. Both will be based in the agency’s Washington, DC office. Calleja was a digital communications specialist for Filipino Americans for Biden-Harris during the 2020 election cycle. She was most recently a market research analyst and graduate teaching assistant at Georgetown University. McClung most recently worked at the United States Leadership Coalition, a nonprofit advocating for a strong international affairs budget, where she planned and executed events with members of congress, cabinet officials, high-level agency staff, and other stakeholders in the DC foreign policy community. “Robin and Kelcey are excellent storytellers,” said Seven Letter founding partner David Di Martino. “Their expertise with digital platforms and earned media will benefit all of Seven Letter’s clients.”
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| Brenda Forman |
Merlot Marketing promotes Brenda Forman to president. Forman has been with the agency since 2003, most recently serving as VP, managing director. Agency CEO and founder Debi Hammond will continue her leadership role with a shift to focus on broadening the agency's presence within the industry. As president, Forman will lead strategic management of the firm, oversee all aspects of its operations, and manage growth and profitability by nurturing and developing its team. "Brenda has been an integral part of Merlot Marketing's stellar reputation and growth over the past 20 years," said Debi Hammond, CEO and founder of Merlot. "She has exemplified exceptional leadership and a profound commitment to our company's growth."
Dezenhall Resources brings Sam Jeffries back to the firm as an SVP. Jefferies rejoins Dezenhall, where he had been a VP, from Starbucks, most recently serving as group manager, issues and crisis communications... The International Bottled Water Association appoints Matt Herrick as president and CEO, effective March 15... Stretch PR, which works with clients in the insurance and professional services industries, promotes Alana Anselmi to group account director.
The J.M. Smucker Co. names Katie Williams CMO, effective March 9... Jones Lang LaSalle, a professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management, appoints Mencía Barreiros as head of communications... Hub International Limited, a global insurance brokerage and financial services firm, appoints Sue Lee as SVP of investor relations, a newly created role.
Stagwell appoints Ben Berentson as CEO, owned media. Berentson was most recently managing director at Stagwell’s Code and Theory... FUSE Create, a Toronto-based advertising agency, brings on Jenn Duggan as SVP, managing director, PR. Duggan joins the agency from Citizen Relations, where she most recently served as president... The Virginia Department of Transportation’s Richmond District names Nicole Bell communications manager. Bell previously served as VP of public relations for Smile Train.
Sanctuary Wealth, a platform that provides comprehensive money management solutions, names Marissa Fox-Foley as CMO... GMMB promotes Jodi Quintero and Erica Monteith to partner... Furia Rubel Communications adds presentation strategist Valerie Madamba and law firm leader Meghan Warren to its international faculty.
Paramount Skydance has named Ted Lehman, senior VP and head of US public policy and government affairs.
