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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.
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.
