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| Asad Ayaz |
The Walt Disney Company names Asad Ayaz to lead its newly established enterprise marketing and brand organization. Ayaz has been with Disney since 2005, most recently as chief brand officer. He has also served as president of marketing for Disney Entertainment and was EVP and head of theatrical marketing for the Disney Live Action, Pixar, Marvel, Disney Animation and Lucasfilm units. As chief brand and marketing officer, Ayaz will oversee marketing teams across the company to support a more connected approach to how it elevates its campaigns and advances the business goals of each segment and the company as a whole. He will report to CEO Bob Iger and to the segment chairs. “It’s clear that we need a company-wide role that ensures brand consistency and allows consumers today to seamlessly interact with our wonderful products and experiences. The Chief Marketing and Brand Officer role is critical for this moment, and Asad is the perfect fit,” said Iger.
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| Beth Leonard |
Kaiser Permanente, which provides integrated healthcare services, is bringing on Beth Leonard as SVP and chief public affairs officer, effective Feb. 2. Leonard was most recently chief corporate affairs officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance, leading a team responsible for managing all internal and external relationships. She was previously chief corporate affairs officer at EmblemHealth, a New York not-for-profit health plan. She has also served as EVP of public affairs and strategic initiatives for AHIP (formerly America’s Health Insurance Plans), and worked on presidential, congressional, gubernatorial and mayoral campaigns. In her new role, Leonard will lead all communications, government relations, and community relations activities at the federal, state and local levels. “Beth is an extraordinary communications strategist and skilled advocate for high quality, affordable health care,” said Kaiser Permanente EVP, enterprise strategy and business development Sam Glick.
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| Delia Osegueda |
AIC Hotel Group, which operates such brands as Nobu Hotels, Hard Rock Hotels, AVA Resort and Spa and the UNICO Collection, hires Delia Osegueda as VP, global partnerships. Osegueda joins AIC from all-inclusive resort company Blue Diamond Resorts, where she was most recently director of global contracting and account development. In her new post, Osegueda will spearhead the company’s efforts to drive international growth and amplify its presence with partners in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia. “She has worked with a diverse range of clients and partners, and her expertise with global markets will be instrumental in supporting the company’s continued growth,” said AIC Hotel Group VP, sales, marketing and e-commerce.
The J.M. Smucker Co. names Katie Williams CMO, effective March 9... Jones Lang LaSalle, a professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management, appoints Mencía Barreiros as head of communications... Hub International Limited, a global insurance brokerage and financial services firm, appoints Sue Lee as SVP of investor relations, a newly created role.
Stagwell appoints Ben Berentson as CEO, owned media. Berentson was most recently managing director at Stagwell’s Code and Theory... FUSE Create, a Toronto-based advertising agency, brings on Jenn Duggan as SVP, managing director, PR. Duggan joins the agency from Citizen Relations, where she most recently served as president... The Virginia Department of Transportation’s Richmond District names Nicole Bell communications manager. Bell previously served as VP of public relations for Smile Train.
Sanctuary Wealth, a platform that provides comprehensive money management solutions, names Marissa Fox-Foley as CMO... GMMB promotes Jodi Quintero and Erica Monteith to partner... Furia Rubel Communications adds presentation strategist Valerie Madamba and law firm leader Meghan Warren to its international faculty.
Paramount Skydance has named Ted Lehman, senior VP and head of US public policy and government affairs.
Mairead Lynn, who served as communications director for former Pennsylvania Democratic Senator Bob Casey, joins Frontwood Strategies as a principal.
