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| Julie McClain Downey |
Global Strategy Group names former US Department of Labor assistant secretary for public affairs Julie McClain Downey as VP in its Washington, DC office. Before joining the Biden Administration in February 2023, Downey was VP of strategic communications at Democratic PAC American Bridge, leading communications during the 2022 election cycle. She has also served as senior director of advocacy communications for Planned Parenthood Federation of America and senior director of campaign communications at EMILYs List. “Julie is an extremely talented communicator and team leader, who has the ability to both anticipate what’s coming around the corner and cultivate a longer-term vision,” said former acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su, who worked with Downey at DOL.
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| Richard McLeod |
Merrell, a hiking and outdoor footwear brand, brings on Richard McLeod as CMO. McLeon was most recently VP, CMO at apparel brand Champion. Before that, he served as SVP of brand at Canada Goose and general manager at Foot Locker Canada, as well as holding senior marketing posts at LMVH, Pernot Ricard and Bacardi. In his new post, McLeon will lead Merrell's global marketing, working to further cement its position as a global leader in the outdoor active and lifestyle space. “Rich is widely recognized as a consumer-obsessed leader and builder of talent with a track record of growing brands through strong consumer demand creation and retail execution," said Merrell global brand president Janice Tennant.
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| Jess Grant |
Red Lorry Yellow Lorry appoints Jess Grant as VP of North America. Before joining RLYL, Grant held senior posts at BioStrata and Publitek North America. She has also worked as a marketing and communications consultant. Based with the lorries’ West Coast team, Grant will oversee day-to-day client servicing, spearhead strategy and support the growth of the agency’s B2B tech portfolio. “Her deep b2b tech experience across a range of sectors that we specialize in will be a huge asset for many of our U.S. and international clients,” said RLYL managing director of North America Meredith L. Eaton.
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.
