Melissa Kinch, a partner and 19-year Ketchum vet, is being elevated to lead Ketchum's West Coast operations.
Kinch, a former associate director of the firm's North American corporate and public affairs practice, takes the director role responsible for San Francisco and Los Angeles previously held by Dave Chapman, who is moving to a new role focused on environmental reputation.
The changes take effect July 1.
Ketchum senior partner and CEO Barri Rafferty called Kinch "a real star in our business" and a "well-rounded leader." She noted that Chapman will play a key role in an environmental field the firm sees as a significant growth area.
Makovsky & Co. officially ended its operations on June 30 after a 47-year run as an independent New York-based firm.
Adfero, the DC-based public affairs shop that served the healthcare, technology and energy sectors, closed its doors on June 30.
4media group completes its acquisition of Family Features Editorial Syndicate... Illumination PR, which represents lifestyle brands, influencers and celebrities, launches DR Media Group... EAG Advertising and Marketing acquires pay-for-performance firm INK inc. Public Relations. 
LLYC launches Signs of Pride, a campaign that revives the original protest banners of the first Pride marches... The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry forms the Public Relations and Digital Marketing Working Group... Circle of One Marketing, a Miami-based, minority-owned marketing agency, is named official agency of record for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami. 
Vogel Group, a DC-headquartered government affairs and consulting firm, forms a strategic partnership with Montreal-based public affairs firm Boléro Stratégies... Matter Communications launches project-based offerings for B2C companies looking to increase brand awareness and visibility... Tucker/Hall, a Tampa-based PR and public affairs firm, opens a new office in Orlando. 
