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| Lara Balasz |
Adobe names Lara Balazs as CMO and EVP, global marketing. Balazs was most recently CMO and general manager of the strategic partner group at financial software and services company Intuit. She has also led marketing for Amazon Prime and served as SVP, head of North America marketing at Visa. At Adobe, Balazs will lead the global marketing organization, responsible for the Adobe brand, Adobe.com, events, campaigns, communications, social media and the company’s media operations and marketing insights. “Lara’s unique experience across B2C and B2B industries and deep insights as an Adobe customer will help us engage our growing universe of users more effectively while expanding Adobe's brand reach and impact,” said Adobe chair and CEO Shantanu Narayen.
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| Julia Glidden |
Ipsos, a market research and polling company, brings on Julia Glidden as group president of its US public affairs practice. Glidden was previously chair of the UK-based data & analytics firm Pivot. Before that, she was corporate VP at Microsoft, implementing a rebuild and reboot of the company’s public sector strategy, and general manager, global government industry at IBM. In her new position, Glidden will be responsible for ensuring that Ipsos’ clients in the public and private sectors receive the insights solutions they need. “Julia has proven herself many times over by steering large organizations through successful transformations toward double-digit growth,” said Ipsos North America CEO Mary Ann Packo.
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| Mike Wesley |
Brinker International, a casual dining restaurant company with brands that include Chili's Grill & Bar, appoints Mike Wesley VP of marketing for its Maggiano's Little Italy unit. Wesley comes to Maggiano's after 14 years at KFC, where he was most recently VP of brand marketing, KFC U.S. He has also held brand positions at Procter & Gamble. In his new role, Wesley will work to amplify and build the Maggiano's brand, driving key marketing and promotional strategies. “We are certain that his visionary leadership style combined with his experience in driving brand relevance will enable us to elevate our marketing strategy," said Dominique Bertolone, president, Maggiano's Little Italy, and SVP, Brinker International.
Narrative Strategies hires Chris Bissex as a managing director. Bissex was most recently deputy director of public affairs for the Federal Trade Commission... Marino promotes Elizabeth Latino to COO and managing director.... The Charlotte Hornets hire Big 12 Conference chief brand & business officer Tyrel Kirkham as CMO. 
Breakwater Strategy, a strategic insights and communications consultancy, brings on former CNN justice correspondent Jessica Schneider as a VP... Stratacomm, a DC-based firm, names Darren Scher chief operating and integration officer. Scher comes to the agency from Adfero, where he was most recently managing director... Dreamday hires Veronica Gauthier as SVP of growth... TextNow appoints Bonnie Herche as VP of marketing. Herche joins the company from Crain Communications.
DCI Group has hired Will Stevens, who has more than 20 years of
Imre names Fred Hickman EVP, group account lead. Hickman joins Imre from Klick, an agency that works with life sciences companies... Residence, a global network of creative companies, brings on Julian McBride as head of communications, a newly created role... Sherlock Communications, which has offices in Bogotå, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Santiago, appoints Bianca Boucault, Maria Amelia Costa and Patricia Zylberman as managing directors.
Nick Mammano, who was president/CEO of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, has rejoined Mercury Public Affairs as a managing director in its Saddle Brook office.
