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| Katharine Laidlaw |
Pomona College names Katharine Laidlaw as chief communications officer, effective May 12. Laidlaw most recently served as chief marketing & communications officer for the Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston, SC. She was previously VP for strategic communications and engagement at the Interlochen Center for the Arts and CMO at the UNC School of the Arts. As lead of Pomona College’s office of communications, her priorities will include aligning the college’s institutional voice and messaging, communications strategic planning and internal communications, as well as crisis and issues management. “She has the experience, creativity and vision to champion Pomona’s institutional voice,” said Pomona College acting president Robert Gaines.
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| Micah Aberson |
Lawrence & Schiller, a Sioux Falls, SD-based marketing firm, names Micah Aberson president and CEO. From 2003 to 2015, Aberson worked at L&S in a range of positions including VP of client service and business development. He was most recently president of Cambria, a countertop manufacturer. Aberson has also served as president of Sanford Health and Mammoth Sports Construction. He succeeds Scott Lawrence, who has been with the firm for 40 years. “I’m thrilled to hand the reins to Micah Aberson, whose experience and leadership will take L&S to new heights,” said Lawrence. Laura Mitchell, a 20-year veteran of the firm, has been promoted to president and COO, overseeing daily operations and strategic client engagement.
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| Matthew Matyjek |
Sustainable PR, a specialized "green" public relations firm based in Glens Falls, NY, names Matthew Matyjek as director of media relations. Matyjek comes to the agency from staffing and recruiting firm Robert Half, where he was a PR specialist. In his new post, he will oversee media relations and the accounts team. Sustainable has also promoted Carly Vallet to associate account manager, supporting media and community relations. “These additions enhance our capacity to meet client needs in a rapidly changing environment," said Sustainable PR founder and principal Tony DeFazio.
The Next Solutions Group names Michelle Agnew as VP, reputation and issues management. Agnew joins NSG from The Coca-Cola Company, where she was director of strategic communications... Nebius, which works with startups and enterprises building AI products, agents and services, appoints Lindsey Irvine as CMO... Zeta Global, an intelligent AI infrastructure company, names Leah Pope CMO and Candace Dean chief communications officer.
SiriusXM recruits Paramount Pictures EVP, global communications Jenny Tartikoff to serve as SVP and head of communications, effective August 10.
West of Fairfax, which is in Los Angeles, appoints Scott Mallone as president. Mallone joins the agency from SHFT Labs... Codeword ups Brandon Carter to SVP, head of strategy... JOTO PR Disruptors names Nick Westcott head of establishment, working to improve coordination across departments, and helping each part of the agency operate with greater clarity, consistency and readiness for scale. 
Sotheby’s brings on Christie’s global head of communications Natasha Le Bel to serve as chief communications officer.
The U.S. Green Building Council, developer of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, names David Purcell CMO, leading the organization’s marketing and communications... Capital V Strategies, a strategic communications and advisory firm, names Andy Dueñas to lead its newly launched Transactions & IPO Communications division... Haven Tower Group, which works with clients in the wealth management space, appoints Stephen Langlois to its board of advisors. Langlois is currently managing principal of Seaport Consulting Partners. 
