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| Stuart Aitken |
Circana, an advisor on issues surrounding consumer behavior, names Kroger chief merchant and marketing officer Stuart Aitken as its president and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2025. At Kroger, Aitken worked to increase the company’s focus on people and culture, data and insights, and shopper transformation. He has also served as CEO of 84.51°, Kroger’s data analytics arm, and its predecessor, dunnhumby USA. Aitken will succeed Kirk Perry, who has decided to retire from his role as Circana president and CEO and will continue to serve as a member of the company’s board of directors. “His passionate leadership, strategic and innovative mindset, and extensive experience across the retail, technology, and data/analytics industries will create value for our company, our people, and the clients we serve globally,” said chair of the Circana board Tod Johnson.
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| Sarah Mary Cunningham |
Align PR, an entertainment-focused firm that works with such clients as Matthew McConaughey, Madonna and Selena Gomez, adds Sarah Mary Cunningham to its New York-based team. Cunningham joins the agency from Columbia Records, where she had been VP of publicity since 2014, working with artists including Rosalia, Orville Peck and Quentin Tarantino. Before that, she was a VP at The Chamber Group, and held roles at Susan Blond Inc. and Rubenstein Associates. “Her reputation within the industry, as well as her nearly two decades of experience across so many aspects of the business, is a pivotal factor for new business development and the continued growth of align PR’s staff, as well as our client roster,” said company principal Nicole Perez-Kreuger. Align PR also has offices in Los Angeles, Miami and London.
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| Derek Coté |
Formation PR + Brand names Derek Coté creative director. Coté most recently served as director at Tungsten Branding, a brand name development agency. He was previously founder and creative director at Punqtive Creative and taught at both Wayne State University and Watkins College of Art, Design & Film. At Formation, Coté will lead the agency’s creative direction and be involved in all aspects of the creative and design process, from initial discovery and strategy to design execution. Formation CEO and founder Erica Allison said the Coté will be “instrumental in leading the agency’s next phase of growth.”
Karina Byrne, who was senior managing director, strategy & communications at Teneo, has come on board at H/Advisors Abernathy as managing director and head of the firm’s Los Angeles office.
Mission North appoints Group SJR founder/president Tom Blim as EVP digital and content... Karyopharm Therapeutics, which specializes in cancer therapies, appoints Brendan Strong as SVP of IR and corporate communications... Luna Grill Mediterranean Kitchen names former Taco Bell head of global marketing and communications Billy Grenham as its first CMO.
Megan Daly, who has nearly 20 years of PA, human rights advocacy and journalism experience, has joined Washington-based Signal Group as a senior VP.
Motion promotes Thea Rooks to COO, a new post at the agency... M&C Saatchi Group names Nadja Bellan-White CEO/North America... J.Crew Group hires SKIMS marketer Julia Collier as CMO, effective January 6. 
Joel Malina, who was Cornell’s VP-university relations, plans to join Brunswick Group as a partner on Feb. 3. He also helmed Wexler & Walker Public Policy Associates, the former DC powerhouse PR/lobbying shop.
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