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| (L-R) Nicole Frazier, Jackson Hayes |
DGA Group promotes Nicole Frazier to partner in its DC-based US government relations practice and Jackson Hayes to partner in its New York-based US complex communications advisory. Frazier, who was a special assistant to the President in the first Trump Administration, was recognized as a top lobbyist by The Hill in 2024. Hayes was a director at FTI Consulting’s strategic communications unit before coming to DGA as an associate partner in 2021. The agency’s Albright Stonebridge Unit has also made three more promotions to partner: Shen Lei, who works in its Beijing-based China practice; Karen Poreh, part of the firm’s DC-based Europe & Eurasia practice; and Anya Prusa in the Americas practice, which is also located in DC. "Nicole, Jackson, Lei, Karen and Anya are all exceptional advisors, leaders, and colleagues. They embody the collaborative and innovative culture that defines our firm,” said DGA Group CEO Edward Reilly.
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| Brigitte Trafford |
Howden, a global insurance group, appoints Brigitte Trafford, who was most recently a senior advisor at Lansons, as group chief corporate affairs officer, a newly created role. Trafford has served as chief corporate affairs and marketing officer at the London Stock Exchange Group, chief corporate affairs officer at Virgin Media and group communications director at Lloyds Banking Group. She will lead Howden’s brand and marketing, communications, PR, public affairs, events, research, and social impact teams. “How we show up as a global company will be an absolutely critical part of the next phase of our growth journey,” said Howden CEO David Howden. “I’m delighted to welcome Brigitte to the company to help us shape that future.”
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| Simeon Lando |
Thredd, a payments processor, brings on Simeon Lando as CMO. Lando most recently served as CMO at payment technology platform Form3. He has also held senior marketing positions at Finastra, PayPal and Barclaycard. In his new post, Lando will be tasked with executing the company’s global go-to-market strategy and driving international growth. “His extensive experience in building B2B enterprise brands, combined with his commitment to developing client-focused marketing teams, aligns perfectly with Thredd’s mission to deliver client-centric payment solutions,” said Thredd CEO Jim McCarthy.
maslansky + partners, a specialist consultancy within Omnicom Public Relations, names founding partner Keith Yazmir president of the firm... The National Football League Players Association names Matt Taylor chief communications officer, effective Sept. 8... Repay Holdings Corporation, a provider of bill payment solutions, appoints Charles Nabhan as head of investor relations.
Bospar hires veteran technology, cybersecurity and healthcare sector journalist and content creator Doug Olenick as tech and healthcare content director... The Huntington National Bank appoints Ameesh Vakharia as EVP and chief marketing and digital products officer, a newly created role... SDA International, a Honolulu-based strategic communications firm, promotes Cassie Kim to SVP. 
Burson Brussels chief client officer Ruud Wassen has moved to Consello to open its outpost in the headquarters city of NATO and the European Union.
Reputation Advisors International adds Newick Consulting founder Peter Thomas as its newest member. Based in Abu Dhabi, Thomas has more than 35 years of experience advising major global clients on reputation issues... TruePoint appoints April Steinbach, who has held senior creative posts at BBDO and McCann Worldgroup, as creative director....Athene, a subsidiary of Apollo Global Management that focuses on retirement solutions, names Brett Gibson EVP and head of investor relations. Gibson comes to Athene from JP Morgan Securities.
Stellantis names Stephanie Hartgrove chief communications officer. Hartgrove joins Stellantis from Johnson & Johnson, where she was global vice president of MedTech communications and public affairs... FINN Partners appoints Kim Sizemore as head of integrated media. Sizemore joins FINN from Wieden+Kennedy... Lucid Group, which makes software-defined vehicles and technologies, names Angela Zepeda as Vice President, Global Marketing. Zepeda was most recently global head of marketing at Elon Musk's xAI. 
