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| Amy Reinert |
Nickerson hires Amy Reinert as CMO. Before joining Nickerson, Reinert was CMO at RAVentures, which owns and operates brands in the real estate and hospitality sectors. In her new post, she will oversee Nickerson’s global marketing strategy, working to lead growth and innovation to drive both Nickerson and its client-partners. Reinert will join the agency’s senior leadership team and report directly to Nickerson CEO Lisa Nickerson. “Strategically assembling a team capable of leading our vision of growth and market leadership has been a top priority for us,” said Nickerson. “Bringing Amy on board as our chief marketing officer is a key move in this strategy. Her expertise and forward-thinking approach are exactly what we need to drive our agency and our client-partners towards new levels of success.”
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| Gerard LaFond |
The Hoffman Agency promotes Gerard LaFond to managing director of North America, succeeding Lou Hoffman, who will turn his focus to global operations. LaFond joined the consultancy two years ago as chief digital officer. Before coming to Hoffman, he was with TEAM LEWIS as senior VP, GM Boston and digital practice lead. He has also worked at Weber Shandwick, Cone Communications and Wolters Kluwer. “Gerard has been a big part of expanding an offering that builds upon our earned media heritage,” said Hoffman. “There’s a natural progression to him moving into the new role.” The agency has also promoted Kymra Knuth from EVP to chief client officer.
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| Lorne Fisher |
919 Marketing Company, a franchise marketing agency, names Lorne Fisher CEO. Fisher succeeds 919 founder David Chapman, who will serve as the company’s chairman of the board, effective March 1. Fisher is currently CEO at Fish Consulting, which he founded in 2004, and he will remain in that post as well. Private equity holding company Big Rock Brands acquired 919 in 2020 and Fish in 2023. “The synergies for both agency teams and our client partners are significant, and I look forward to collaborating with the 919 Leadership Team to maximize the potential of this new role,” said Fisher.
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| Matthew Simmons |
CURA Strategies, an integrated health care communications and public affairs agency, names Matthew Simmons senior VP of public affairs. Simmons has advised executive leadership teams in the laboratory and diagnostic sector on key policy and advocacy issues. He has also served as senior director of government affairs at Scipher Medicine and Millennium Health as well as leading operations at the National Coalition of Pharmaceutical Distributors as an executive director. “Public affairs has always been a core pillar of CURA’s client offerings,” said CURA Strategies CEO Anne Woodbury. “With the addition of Matt and our growing public affairs arm, we will continue to offer best-in-class results that mobilize our clients’ missions.”
LaVoieHealthScience promotes Lisa DeScenza to president... Buffalo Groupe, which works with golf, hospitality and real estate brands, ups Glenn Gray to chief growth officer.... Marketbridge, a Bethesda, MD-based marketing consultant, names Mike Swartz chief growth officer and Ellie Ahmadi as SVP of global corporate marketing.
The Ladies Professional Golf Association names Chad Coleman CMO, effective Feb. 3. Coleman was most recently chief brand officer at YouTube channel Dude Perfect... Strategic Objectives promotes Sadie Tory and Saul Lewis to VP... Signal Group ups Scott Lusk and Jess McCarron to managing directors.
The Walt Disney Company names Asad Ayaz to lead its newly established enterprise marketing and brand organization... Kaiser Permanente, which provides integrated healthcare services, is bringing on Beth Leonard as SVP and chief public affairs officer, effective Feb. 2. Leonard was most recently chief corporate affairs officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance... AIC Hotel Group, which operates such brands as Nobu Hotels, Hard Rock Hotels, AVA Resort and Spa and the UNICO Collection, hires Delia Osegueda as VP, global partnerships.
Sarah Knakmuhs, who formerly led H/Advisors Abernathy’s DC office, is joining the Financial Services Forum as chief communications and strategy officer.
Brian Hughes, chief of staff at NASA, has joined Mercury Public Affairs as a partner in its Tallahassee office.
