 Ann Whitehurst |
MMI named Ann Whitehurst VP of brand strategy. Before coming to the Raleigh-based firm, Whitehurst worked at agencies including Greenroom Communications and Centerline Digital, with experience in categories ranging from healthcare and technology to consumer goods. Her work has been recognized with multiple industry awards, including Gold ADDY and Stevie awards, and Platinum AVA Digital and MarCom awards. At MMI, Whitehurst’s remit is to lead the growth strategy and development of the firm’s brand services group. MMI has also brought on Megan Gruder as project manager and Hannah Soule as graphic designer.
 Roxana Pita-Romero |
Kimball Communications hired Roxana Pita-Romero as a public relations associate. Pita-Romero comes to Kimball from Gregory FCA, where she was an assistant account executive on their financial services PR team. Since 2016, she has also been social media manager for women’s handbag line OTG|247. “Roxy’s background in financial services communications will complement our work for clients in industries such as insurance, financial services, law and others,” said Kimball Communications vice president Rod Hughes.
 Josh Capon |
Learfield Licensing Partners, a trademark management company specializing in collegiate licensing and branding, appointed Josh Capon official chef partner and brand ambassador for National Tailgate Weekend, taking place October 7 and 8. Leading up to the weekend, Chef Capon will be providing tailgating tips, sharing his favorite recipes and will host the official National Tailgate Weekend party at Purdue University. “Simply put, Josh is the king of the tailgate. We couldn’t be happier to have him on board with National Tailgate Weekend,” says Eric Johnson, COO of Learfield Licensing.
Whit Clay, who exited the Co-CEO slot at Sloane & Co. 18 months ago to head Longacre Square Partners’ New York office, has been promoted to serve as the first CEO of the financial communication shop.
Global Strategy Group names Claudio Taratuta as an EVP of the L@B, its in-house creative and media agency. Taratuta joins GSG from Praytell, where he was a founding team member... ROKK Solutions appoints Kris Havens as EVP of intel and insights. Havens was most recently a partner at Penta Group... Cliff House Maine brings on William Courtney Lowe as chief business development and brand strategist. Lowe joins Cliff House Maine from Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod, where he was VP of marketing & business development. 
Eitan Bencuya, who has more than 20 years of technology PR experience, has signed on with Brunswick Group as a partner in its San Francisco office.
DGA Group has lined up the former US ambassadors to Qatar and Saudi Arabia as senior advisors to help clients navigate that politically complex region.
Narrative Strategies names Adam Silverstein as managing director in New York. Silverstein was most recently head of media relations & thought leadership at Scient Public Relations... Mission North brings on Alex Hunter as EVP of health and innovation... Baird & Warner, a family-owned independent real estate services company that serves the Chicago area, appoints Jeanette Cutler as CMO.
