 |
| (L-R) Whit Askew, Cedric Grant |
Avoq appoints partners Whit Askew and Cedric Grant to manage its government relations operations. Askew and Grant will serve as co-heads of the GR team, overseeing day-to-day functions and business operations. With decades working in House Republican politics, Askew has built relationships across the GOP leadership and key committees. He previously served former Speaker of the House John A. Boehner (R-OH) as executive director of The Freedom Project/Team Boehner. Grant, who previously served as chief of staff to House Democratic Leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) specializes in House Democratic Leadership outreach, Congressional Black Caucus strategy and Democratic Caucus relationships. The team also includes fellow partners Stacey Alexander and Barry LaSala. “Cedric and Whit are the ideal team to oversee our government relations operations. Their bipartisan work across a multitude of sectors and industries exemplifies the strategic value we provide clients. They understand the issues and complexities of the Washington market and they know how to provide results,” said Avoq CEO Nicole Cornish.
 |
| (L-R) Jennnifer Valdes, Julie Jimenez-Padron |
rbb Communications, names VPs Jennifer Valdes and Julie Jimenez-Padron as equity shareholders. Valdes, who has been with rbb since 2015, leads integrated campaigns across the travel, consumer, and luxury sectors. She brings strong capabilities in media relations, partnerships, events, and brand storytelling. Jimenez-Padron, a 14-year veteran at the firm, also serves on the board of the Hispanic Public Relations Association. Her expertise includes leading strategic PR campaigns, as well as Hispanic media, and reputation building across various industries. “Jennifer and Julie have shown outstanding leadership and dedication to serving our clients, while contributing to the firm’s success and fostering the advancement of the next generation at rbb,” said rbb Communications CE and managing partner Christine Barney.
 |
| Francesco Tribuzio |
The Consultancy PR promotes Francesco Tribuzio to SVP. Tribuzio has been with the agency since 2020, most recently serving as VP and head of business development. In his expanded role, he will oversee business development, client strategy, and team management across the agency, leading new business efforts, driving integrated communications strategies, and serving as senior counsel to clients while deepening the agency’s presence in the home & design industries and adjacent sectors. He will also collaborate with leadership to support agency growth, mentor team members, and strengthen industry partnerships and thought leadership initiatives. “Francesco’s promotion to Senior Vice President reflects his exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and deep commitment to our clients and team,” said The Consultancy PR founder and president Lauren Urband.
Stagwell has named Lena Petersen, a veteran of MediaLink, Starcom MediaVest and Leo Burnett, chief brand and communications officer.
Carrie Healey has joined the National Association of Broadcasters as VP communications. Most recently, she was program lead at Purple Strategies.
HAVAS Red names Adeena Fried EVP health & wellness, based in New York... Genius Sports Limited, a provider of real-time sports data, names Tony Marlow as CMO... Deerfield Group, which works with clients in the healthcare and life sciences sectors, promotes Bill Veltre to chief media officer... The Public Affairs Council brings on Monica Day as senior manager in its political affairs practice, Deanna Wisniewski as senior manager of communications and Sam Kasner as manager of events. 
Imre names Paulina De la Riva chief strategy officer. De la Riva joins the agency from Ogilvy Health, where she most recently served as EVP, strategy for North America... FNK IR, a strategic investor relations firm focused on smaller cap companies, brings on Greg McKinley as director, investor relations... Bear Icebox Communications, a Chicago-based firm, promotes Sean Wille to VP, strategy + operations... Abode Worldwide, a specialist firmthat works across hotels, short-term rentals and the wider serviced living sectors, appoints Kerry Wilson as chief operating officer.
Method Communications names Lexy King SVP to head up the agency’s new corporate communications specialist group... Five9, provider of the Intelligent CX Platform, appoints Jay Lee as chief marketing and growth officer... Sundial Media & Technology Group, which is the parent company of such brands as ESSENCE and Refinery29, appoints Amanda Butler as CMO.
