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| Frank van de Koppel |
Hotwire appoints Frank van de Koppel as strategy creative director to helm its newly launched pan-European digital creative team, which will serve clients with campaigns fusing creativity, marketing and PR. Van de Koppel has led and developed digital marketing, social media and influencer campaigns for such brands as Netflix, Vodafone, BMW, Volkswagen and Porsche. Based in Amsterdam, he will partner with Hotwire’s teams in the US, UK and APAC on global programs in addition to leading the cross-functional team in Europe. “The Netherlands is one of the best countries for global technology giants to set up in Europe and having a dedicated presence here will support our ambitious growth plans across Europe and serve our clients in the markets they operate in,” said Hotwire CEO of continental Europe Ute Hildebrandt.
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| Erika Bellido-Jin |
Signal Group, a DC-based public affairs firm that became fully independent in March, hires Erika Bellido-Jin as VP of operations. Bellido-Jin joins the firm from Sullivan, where she served as director of business operations. Before that, she was director, revenue operations at Gallery Media Group. “Her role includes streamlining our operational efficiency and making investments in our people to reflect a modern approach to public affairs,” said Signal Group president Chelsea Koski. Signal has also promoted Madeleine Russak, who oversees communications strategy for a broad portfolio of Tribal, healthcare and veterans’ affairs clients to SVP and Jackson Parker, who supports several clients in renewable energy, international relations, veterans’ affairs, to senior associate.
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| Jayne O'Connor |
Taft Communications promotes Jayne O’Connor to senior vice president and Meghan Bianco and Nicole Kirgan to director in its sustainability practice. Since joining Taft in 2015, O’Connor has overseen the practice, most notably with ReThink Energy NJ, which seeks to advance clean energy policies within the state. She previously worked as press secretary for New Jersey governor Christie Todd Whitman and held corporate communications roles at Bristol Myers Squibb and Capital Health. Bianco, who has most recently served as director of media relations, provides guidance and execution on media strategy for accounts including Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind and PosiGen. Kirgan, who joined the firm in 2022, serves as director of policy and communications, a new position at Taft created to focus on the intersection between the two disciplines. She previously served seven years in state government at the New Jersey Department of Health and the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education. “Jayne, Meghan, and Nicole each bring a unique skillset that enhances our ability to deliver on our clients’ strategic communications goals through meaningful campaigns that create impact,” said Taft chief client officer Lindsey Pascarella.
The Next Solutions Group names Michelle Agnew as VP, reputation and issues management. Agnew joins NSG from The Coca-Cola Company, where she was director of strategic communications... Nebius, which works with startups and enterprises building AI products, agents and services, appoints Lindsey Irvine as CMO... Zeta Global, an intelligent AI infrastructure company, names Leah Pope CMO and Candace Dean chief communications officer.
SiriusXM recruits Paramount Pictures EVP, global communications Jenny Tartikoff to serve as SVP and head of communications, effective August 10.
West of Fairfax, which is in Los Angeles, appoints Scott Mallone as president. Mallone joins the agency from SHFT Labs... Codeword ups Brandon Carter to SVP, head of strategy... JOTO PR Disruptors names Nick Westcott head of establishment, working to improve coordination across departments, and helping each part of the agency operate with greater clarity, consistency and readiness for scale. 
Sotheby’s brings on Christie’s global head of communications Natasha Le Bel to serve as chief communications officer.
The U.S. Green Building Council, developer of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, names David Purcell CMO, leading the organization’s marketing and communications... Capital V Strategies, a strategic communications and advisory firm, names Andy Dueñas to lead its newly launched Transactions & IPO Communications division... Haven Tower Group, which works with clients in the wealth management space, appoints Stephen Langlois to its board of advisors. Langlois is currently managing principal of Seaport Consulting Partners. 
