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| Gary Grates |
120/80 GROUP, which includes New York-based digital health consultancy 120/80 MKTG and the newly launched AOx3, names Gary Grates as president, part of an expansion of the company’s scope and services. Grates, a former principal at Real Chemistry, most recently served as president at GConsulting Group. He has also been an EVP at GCI Consulting and established and led the change and employee engagement group at Edelman. Jen Long, who was a co-founder of 120/80 MKTG, serves as the unit’s managing partner, chief client officer. She previously held leadership positions at Real Chemistry, ICR and Ruder Finn. Mike Fay will be managing partner, chief client officer at AOx3, the new sister-agency brand to 120/80 MKTG, based in Silicon Valley and New York. Fay, who led corporate communications at Intel, IBM and Sequent, began his career at FleishmanHillard and Burson Marsteller. “The definition of innovation and innovators in healthcare has changed forever and we are there – recruiting, organizing, investing to tell the story of that transformation, its breakthroughs, challenges and impact," said 120/80 GROUP CEO and founder Rob Cronin.
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| Daniel Fryd |
Luminate, a London-based consultancy that supports clients working on projects in the development, infrastructure and energy sectors, brings on Daniel Fryd as a director. Fryd comes to Luminate from Cavendish, where he also served as a director. He has also served as press officer to the UK government’s Department for Levelling Up Housing & Communities. At Luminate, Fryd will work with agency founder and managing director Ally Kennedy to lead communications advice and support for clients. “His experience, track-record and credentials across all our sectors are second to none,” said Kennedy.
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| Michelle Denhart |
1440, a daily newsletter “designed to be read in under five minutes” and received by more than 3.5 million Americans, brings on Michelle Denhart as VP of strategy and brand. Denhart joins 1440 from MDC Strategy & Consulting, where she was a brand marketing and sales strategy consultant. Before that, she was VP of marketing partnerships TIME. She previously served as senior director, brand marketing & client solutions at The Players’ Tribune and senior director, integrated marketing at Business Insider. In her new role, she will work to shape the company's long-term strategic direction and growth initiatives. “With her depth of experience navigating the startup world, she is uniquely positioned to find creative ways for 1440 to stand out and will help us to empower an even wider audience with essential news and knowledge,” said 1440 co-founder and CEO Tim Huelskamp.
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.
Narrative Strategies brings on Stacia Tipton as managing director... Prosek Partners promotes Deirdre Bolton, Josh Clarkson and Jon Schwartz to partner... YAP Global, an international digital assets PR firm, promotes Otto Jacobsson, who has served as CFO of the firm since 2020, to CEO. 
Cindy Leggett-Flynn, who most recently led communications at Credit Suisse, is coming on board at Swiss multinational private bank and wealth management firm Julius Baer Group as group head of communications.
