Its still Q1, and already big companies and PR firms are experiencing shakeups in management, and clientele. Whether it’s a new executive, or hunting for new PR representation, the dynamic world of public relations always produces change.
Here are some new developments taking place in the world of PR:
Veronica Gonzalez Heads Porter Novelli’s Team in Mexico City
Leading international PR firm, Porter Novelli, announced it hired Veronica Gonzalez to lead the Health and Wellness sector of the business in Mexico City. From this satellite office, Gonzalez handles health and wellness brands within the larger Latin American market.
Gonzalez brings almost two decades of health and corporate communications experience to the table. In past business ventures, her exceptional work in reputation management, crisis management, and patient relations has served clients well. Prior to her new position at Porter Novelli, she worked on the executive body of other well-known firms, with strong Latin American portfolios. These included Jeffrey Group and Cohn & Wolfe.
Kristine Boyden Climbs the Ranks to U.S. Western Region President at Edelman
Like Porter Novelli, Edelman made changes to its executive staff. The firm just appointed Kristine Boyden as U.S. Western Regional President. Edelman reports the Western Region did well over the past few years claiming clients like Starbucks, Taco Bell, Adobe, and eBay. And with such A-list clients to keep happy, Edelman requires the very best in leadership. A former COO with the company, Edelman says it was only natural and expected Boyden should fill this new position. Boyden now reports to Russell, from Edelman’s US executive management committee.
Other changes at Edelman include the departure of the General Manager for the Los Angeles division, James Williams. He worked with Edelman for five years before announcing his resignation. The firm is currently on the hunt for his replacement as well.
Fiat Seeking out Consumer PR Firm in the UK
For the first time, Italian carmaker, Fiat, is on the prowl for a consumer PR agency. The company appointed Kate Saxton, PR Director at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), to oversee the process. Fiat hopes to raise more awareness of its partnerships and reach new customers who may not have considered buying the brand before.
But this isn’t the first PR change Fiat created recently. Just last year, FCA combined the communication accounts for subsidiaries, Alfa Romeo and Jeep, under one PR agency. Performance Communications managed just the Alfa Romeo account, but now have added communications responsibility for both brands. The McCann PR firm previously provided PR for Jeep.
Brandstyle Communications now AOR for CÜR Media, Inc.
Music streaming app-builder, CÜR Media, Inc., runs one step ahead of Fiat, as it recently announced its partnership with Brandstyle Communications, as its new Agency of Record. Brandstyle’s primary role involves putting in place national campaigns in the media to reach an American audience, on behalf of its new client.
Brandstyle will mix media relations with PR driving brand visibility. Founder and CEO of Brandstyle Communications, Zoe Weisberg Coady, is eager to share the brand’s story helping customers relate to CÜR Media, Inc. CÜR also looks forward to the partnership and praised Brandstyle as a leader in communications.