French/West/Vaughan Announce Personnel Shake Up

There’s been a big shake up of personnel at French/West/Vaughan (FWV), one of the leading PR agencies in the US, with two senior staff members being handed promotions in addition to two new hires joining the outfit.

In one of the major moves, FWV has announced the promotion of Melissa Rivera to the position of vice president with the firm following her excellent work in promoting clients such as the U.S. Polo Association and Hood River Distillers.

Rivera, who has more than ten years of experience in the PR industry, having previously worked as PR director and partner of an unnamed creative agency, and served a stint at New York-based MODCo Creative prior to her tenure at the firm, will add a wealth of expertise and talent to the upper echelons of FWV.

Rivera is joined in her promotion by Debbie Stark, who assumes the position of accounting & benefits manager at FWV. Stark, who has been with the firm since 2008, will now take responsibility for the company’s accounting functions.

As for the new blood, FWV was delighted to secure the services of Justin Champion in his new position of digital marketing supervisor, where he will be responsible for digital, experiential and social marketing strategy, and also lend his expertise to brand building across the agency. Champion brings with him some considerable experience in this field, having previously served as director of client services and delivery at Three Ships Media, where he earned his spurs assisting C-level executives and small businesses in their marketing and branding efforts.

Finally, FWV has also welcomed back former employee Charles Upchurch back into the fold, where he will assume the role of senior counselor. Upchurch’s new responsibilities include serving as media relations strategist and lead writer for a number of FWV’s most prestigious clients, including the US Polo Association, Canines, Inc., and TigerSwan.