Winner of Scholarship and Internship Announced by Kaplow Communications
Media relations firm NYC PR firm Kaplow Communications has announced the winner of its inaugural Scholarship and Internship program. The program is in collaboration with the New York Women in Communications. Ciara Rolle-Harris received the award during the NYWICI 2019 Matrix Awards. Rolle-Harris, who will start her role on June 3, will focus on the firm’s wellness practices and influencer relationships. Rolle-Harris has completed seven internships, including an internship at HBO and Communications Internship at Viacom. In a statement from Kaplow, founder and CEO Liz Kaplow said, “As both a Forbes Under 30 Scholar and a T Howard Foundation Scholar, we know that Ciara will bring many contributions to Kaplow.”
Mitch Schneider Promotes New Partner and Changes PR Firm’s Name
In a press announcement, music publicist Mitch Schneider announced that his long-time PR firm is changing its name from MSO PR (Mitch Sneider Organization) to SRO PR (Schneider/Rondan Organization). The change follows the promotion of Marcee Rondan to firm partner. Over the coming weeks, SRO will start transitioning all digital assets and social media platforms to its new name. Rondan and Schneider have worked together since 1989 at Levine/Schneider PR before working together at MSO, where Rondan was first VP in 1997, SVP in 2000, and EVP in 2014.
Porter Novelli Chooses Sandy Skees for Head of Impact Practice
Porter Novelli has announced sustainability expert Sandy Skees as global head of its innovation and impact practices, a new version of the firm’s traditional technology group. Skees, who is a former Porter Novelli partner, previously led the sustainability practice at consulting firm BSI and served as Fenton Communications managing director, in addition to running her own consultancy. Porter Novelli has been developing innovation and impact practices for over a year. Skees said of the practice, “Tech in itself is remarkable…what we’re layering on is the need for companies to…navigate the societal impact of whatever they are making.”
Netflix PR Chief Moves to Laughlin Park
Rachel Whetstone, Netflix’s new Chief Communications Officer, has purchased a new home in the celebrity-laden gated community of Laughlin Park, with neighbors the likes of Kristen Stewart, Angelina Jolie, Natalie Portman, and David Fincher. The move takes her from the Northern California town of Atherton. Whetstone originally had a background in British politics, having been an advisor to British Home Secretary Michael Howard. After that, Whetstone worked at Google as a senior VP of PR; at Uber, briefly, as head of communications; and at Facebook as VP of communications for its WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger products.
Jim Wetmore to Lead Weber Shandwick’s LA Office
Weber Shandwick has announced the promotion of Jim Wetmore to general manager of the firm’s Los Angeles office. Wetmore has been with the firm since 2014 and will retain his position as the firm’s regional healthcare practice leader while taking on this new role. The position was created to handle the growth of Weber Shandwick’s LA office.