Interpublic Group agency Golin, has launched its sports specialty function, delivering integrated public relations, experiential marketing and digital strategy to connect teams, athletes and brands to fans.This strategic offering leverages earned-led, fan-first programming that strengthens brands and elevates engagement during high-profile events, sponsorships and partnerships during a critical time when sports sponsorship investment is expected to reach $160 billion by 2030. Led by Golin?ÇÖs dedicated sports, social/influencer, media relations and brand communications specialists, the sports specialty function includes more than 50 integrated professionals that span key markets including the global headquarters in Chicago as well as New York, Dallas, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Singapore and Toronto.Golin?ÇÖs sports specialty function already supports an impressive roster of clients including, ASICS, Discover, Hard Rock International, Lexus Racing, McDonald?ÇÖs, Mountain Dew, the LEGO Group, PepsiCo Beverages US, Starry and Toyota Gazoo Racing, bringing a sophisticated approach to brand storytelling and events that goes beyond traditional communications. The team?ÇÖs expertise crosses virtually all amateur and professional sports, including basketball, football, baseball, hockey, racing, soccer, bowling, e-sports, cricket, golf, gymnastics, track and field and more.?Ç£For years, we have delivered exceptional sports consulting during marquee moments, but as brand investments in sports teams and properties continue to increase, we?ÇÖve strategically assembled specialized talent who understand the ever-changing sports ecosystem,?Ç¥ said Cori McKeever, Co-President of Golin North America. ?Ç£This deliberate investment enables us to ensure our clients maximize their ROI rather than leaving unrealized value on the table. There?ÇÖs tremendous opportunity for advanced public relations strategies to forge authentic connections with passionate sports audiences who are loyal fans but also hold some of the most influential buying power in today?ÇÖs marketplace.?Ç¥Sports fandom is undergoing a digital revolution, with 90% of Gen Z consuming sports content through social media?Çöa demographic projected to contribute $9 trillion to global spending over the next decade. Simultaneously, in-person engagement is surging, with 18-to-34-year-olds nearly 1.5 times more likely to attend live sporting events than older generations. This powerful convergence of digital and physical fan experiences creates unprecedented opportunities for brands, teams and athletes to use integrated marketing strategies that will resonate across multiple touchpoints and drive measurable business outcomes.At the core of this offering is SPORTSYNC, an always-on, data-driven newsroom and social listening hub led by dedicated sports specialists who mine, evaluate, ideate and execute on real-time opportunities across social, earned media and in-person activations. The cross-office team leverages these insights to help brands navigate the increasingly nuanced world of sports partnerships, fan engagement, experiential activations, NIL (name, image and likeness) and purpose-driven marketing.Powering Golin?ÇÖs sports specialty is a distinguished team of cross-functional leaders who bring unparalleled industry expertise: Marla Saret, EVP/Executive Director leverages over two decades of strategic communications and media relations experience across team and brand sponsorships; Logan Williams, SVP/Executive Director, orchestrates high-impact sponsorship activations for global brand portfolios; Matt Smith, VP/Director, architects immersive integrated experiences with a decade of event innovation and athlete relationship management; Jonathan Goldman, VP/Director, navigates complex partnerships and strategic sponsorship activations across premier racing circuits; CJ Pappas, VP/Director, drives digital engagement through twenty years of pioneering influencer and social media strategies; Pam Jansen, VP/Director oversees motorsports strategy and execution; and Brad Shulkin, Director, delivers media amplification and experiential excellence with specialized sports storytelling credentials. This core leadership team is complemented by a network of dedicated sports marketing specialists across Golin?ÇÖs global footprint.The sports specialty function aligns with Golin?ÇÖs mission of ?Ç£creating change that matters?Ç¥ by redefining how brands forge authentic connections with passionate fan communities.

Golin MENA has appointed Diab Nassar as General Manager, Saudi Arabia. This further strengthens the agency?ÇÖs presence in the Kingdom, supporting both its regional client portfolio and its many Saudi-based clients.Golin MENA is a subsidiary of the leading Middle East marketing and communications group Horizon Holdings, an Interpublic Group (HYSE: IPG) Agency, and the partner of the global communications company Golin in the Middle East & North Africa.Nassar rejoins Golin MENA, the agency where he began his communications career, with over 17 years of experience across a diversity of industries.Stephen Worsley, Regional Managing Director of Golin MENA, said: ?Ç£Diab?ÇÖs vast experience across communications, technology, and creative media makes him the ideal person to begin a new chapter for our agency in Saudi Arabia, helping our clients to create change that matters.?Ç¥Mazen Jawad, CEO of Horizon Holdings, the parent company of Golin MENA, said: ?Ç£Diab brings fresh leadership and a forward-thinking mindset that aligns perfectly with the ambitions of our company in Saudi Arabia. His strategic direction will ensure we continue to provide our clients cutting-edge, integrated communications solutions that make a tangible impact.?Ç¥Holding a bachelor?ÇÖs degree in IT, a master?ÇÖs in PR and media, and proven experience in AI-driven communications, Nassar said he was eager to help regional and international clients unlock the vast opportunities offered by the Middle East?ÇÖs leading economy.?Ç£I?ÇÖm honored to rejoin Golin MENA and Horizon Holdings at this exciting time for both Saudi Arabia and the communications industry. I look forward to leading our team in crafting innovative, locally relevant campaigns that reflect Golin?ÇÖs global excellence and our own deep local knowledge of the Saudi market.?Ç¥

Interpublic Group agency Golin has announced the promotion of Shouvik Prasanna Mukherjee to Executive Vice President, global creative innovation, effective immediately.Recognised for spearheading successful innovations out of Asia for Golin?ÇÖs global network ?Çô including the Executive Impact Matrix and AI Incubator SPARK ?Çô in his new global role, Mukherjee will be responsible for creating new products and proprietary solutions that in turn will spur growth for clients, the agency and the industry.In this post, Shouvik continues his current remit as Golin APAC?ÇÖs Chief Creative Officer, and will remain leading the agency?ÇÖs Creative Intelligence Unit ?Çô a division comprised of data analytics pioneers and creative frontrunners, who integrate analytics & measurement expertise with creative and content capabilities. The Unit was awarded Specialist Consultancy of the Year in 2023 and 2024 by PR Awards Asia.?Ç£Expanding Shouvik?ÇÖs contribution to Golin globally comes so naturally, building off consecutive successes he has spearheaded,?Ç¥ said Darren Burns, President, Asia Pacific, Golin. ?Ç£Shouvik?ÇÖs appointment in this role, based out of Asia, underlines Golin?ÇÖs commitment to being a truly global agency, and I am confident that the advancements he will make on the global stage will be electrifying.?Ç¥Shouvik reports to Burns, President, Asia Pacific, and will also support Ginger Porter, global chief client officer and innovation council chair. ?Ç£I?ÇÖm beyond excited to work closely with Shouvik in his new position as we inspire, design and lead efforts to help our clients solve challenges and seize opportunities in the vanguard of their market,?Ç¥ said Porter. ?Ç£We need to stay ahead of culture, technology and trends in order to do the best work of our lives, and Shouvik has a proven track record of keeping us, and our clients, frontfooted on that journey.?Ç¥Mukherjee joined Golin back in 2011 and has held creative leadership roles throughout his tenure, most recently overseeing creative for the entire APAC region and supporting clients like Allianz , Disney+, Harley Davidson, Hyatt, Magnum, Micron, McDonald?ÇÖs, Porsche Asia Pacific and Uber.?Ç£I?ÇÖm excited to bring the Asian perspective to Golin?ÇÖs global portfolio and influence clients at scale,?Ç¥ said Mukherjee. ?Ç£Creating change that matters stems from being at the forefront of culture and creative disruption. In collaboration with my partners on Golin?ÇÖs innovation council, we are committed to delivering solutions that will shape the future of our client business.?Ç¥

Golin has brought on consultant Michon Ellis to spearhead the agency?ÇÖs issues and crisis practice in Chicago. As the new Executive VP, Ellis is responsible for enhancing the crisis and issues expertise of the Chicago team, fostering the growth of the specialty department, and establishing the agency as a premier resource for clients facing complex challenges. He is now part of a corporate communications team of over 40 specialists at the firm's headquarters, which includes nearly a dozen experts in crisis and issues management.Ellis began his role in early July, reporting directly to Molly Starmann, Associate Managing Director of Golin Chicago. Prior to joining Golin, Ellis was the CEO of CLOUT, a consultancy he founded in 2019 that focuses on crisis and reputation management. His 25-year career in corporate communications includes a decade at McDonald?ÇÖs, where he held senior leadership roles in corporate communications and consumer PR.

Golin has elevated Hollie Pantano to the newly created role of Associate Managing Director, West Coast, as part of a strategic initiative to enhance its presence in the region. In her expanded role, Pantano will collaborate with leaders in Los Angeles and San Francisco to drive business growth, nurture company culture, and implement best practices across the agency.Pantano, who has been with Golin for eight years and most recently served as Executive Director, will now report directly to Dawn Langeland, North America Co-President. Her promotion reflects Golin's commitment to strengthening its West Coast operations amid increasing client demands in the tech and entertainment sectors?.The agency, recognized for its innovative approach and strong industry reputation, aims to leverage Pantano's expertise to further expand its capabilities and client base across key markets?."I'm thrilled to take on this new challenge and work alongside our talented West Coast teams. I look forward to building on our strong foundation and driving continued success for our clients and our agency in this key market," said Pantano.  "Hollie's exceptional track record in New York and her integral role in some of our most significant client wins make her the ideal leader to partner with our established and experienced West Coast team to build upon our strong foundation and help drive our West Coast operations forward," said Langeland.

Multicultural agency Egami has appointed Laura Sutphen from Golin as its new president.Sutphen will oversee Egami?ÇÖs daily operations, enhance its capabilities, and collaborate directly with clients. She will report to Teneshia Jackson Warner, the founder and CEO of Egami.Egami has been without a president since Cheryl Overton's departure in February 2020.Sutphen brings a wealth of experience from her previous role at Golin, where she served as managing director of social impact and inclusion and global head of social purpose. Her career also includes senior leadership positions at Ketchum, Fenton Communications, and Amazon, where she was the director of communications.Among her notable achievements are leading an environmental racism study titled "Justice for All," launching Amazon's Black Business Accelerator program, and developing the strategy for Aveeno's SkinVisibility campaign to address Black skin health disparities."As we look to the future, it's essential that we help our clients navigate the evolving, complex realities of multicultural, multiethnic, inclusive, and diverse audiences, which now represent mainstream culture," said Jackson Warner. "In Laura, our team found a partner committed to purpose and growth. Throughout her career, Laura has been a pioneer in disrupting biases and has a strong record of allyship and working with communities of color."

Golin has named Kim Allain as associate creative director, further strengthening its creative team in London.Kim Allain joins Golin from MSL UK, where she served as creative lead for four years. During her tenure, Allain spearheaded multiple award-winning campaigns, including Puma?ÇÖs Cali Star Challenge. Her extensive experience also includes roles at Talker Tailor Trouble Maker and Cake, where she developed creative strategies for clients such as Deliveroo, Subway, and Currys. Additionally, Allain has managed high-profile talent partnerships for Mastercard, notably its sponsorship of The Brit Awards.In her new position at Golin, Allain will report to Al Wood, who was recently promoted to chief creative officer. She will play a key role in driving creative excellence across Golin?ÇÖs diverse client portfolio."Kim is a brilliant and passionate creative with an impressive portfolio of culturally-connected work," said Al Wood. "As we continue to grow our team and expand our ambition for earned-led, integrated creative solutions, Kim was the natural choice. I?ÇÖm excited to see the innovative contributions she will bring to our agency."Allain expressed her enthusiasm for joining Golin: "Our industry is in a time of significant change and evolution, and Golin felt like the perfect place for me to continue my professional growth. The work from Al and the team is incredibly impressive, and I?ÇÖm eager to bring my experience in culture, entertainment, and audience engagement to Golin?ÇÖs creative offerings."

Interpublic Group agency Golin recently appointed Jeff Beringer as the company?ÇÖs first-ever Chief AI Officer (CAIO). This newly created, focused leadership role underscores Golin?ÇÖs commitment to integrating artificial intelligence (AI) across all aspects of its business operations and client services. The position is effective immediately and reports to Gary Rudnick, Chief Operating Officer, Golin.As CAIO, Beringer will architect and accelerate the implementation of a comprehensive, multi-year strategy to modernize the agency for the AI age. His responsibilities will include driving AI innovation, upskilling Golin?ÇÖs workforce, and helping design future AI-driven client service models that solidify the agency?ÇÖs competitive edge. He will also collaborate with IPG to leverage unique Interpublic assets, technologies and strategic partnerships for the benefit of Golin?ÇÖs teams and clients.?Ç£Artificial Intelligence is transforming the way we work, communicate, and create,?Ç¥ said Matt Neale, CEO, Golin. ?Ç£By appointing Jeff as our Chief AI Officer and embarking on an ambitious AI transformation plan, our clear goal is for Golin to be the first fully AI-integrated global PR agency, focused on delivering best-in-class, future-forward solutions that drive superior results for our clients.?Ç¥A 20-year Golin veteran, Beringer has a proven track record of leveraging technology to redefine how marketing and communications work gets done. Throughout his career, he has spearheaded numerous initiatives that optimized operations, enhanced client services, and fostered innovation at global agencies. His focus has led to industry distinctions, including recognition as one of PRovoke Media?ÇÖs 2023 Innovator 25, and a 40 Under 40 honoree by PRWeek in 2013.?Ç£Our founder Al Golin always said, ?Çÿfix it before it breaks?ÇÖ?Çöget a ahead of change rather than be disrupted by it. In 2010, this pioneering ambition gave our agency the courage and permission to restructure the traditional agency model from a hierarchy of generalists to communities of specialists under our G4 model,?Ç¥ said Rudnick. ?Ç£That same forward-thinking spirit will drive AI integration across our organisation now. Jeff?ÇÖs expertise will ensure a seamless adoption of AI capabilities that empower and equip our teams worldwide to operate at the cutting edge.?Ç¥Beringer previously served as Golin?ÇÖs Global President, Digital. As an early leader in digital PR, his foresight and strategic execution helped the firm navigate and thrive in the rise of social media, take its first steps with influencer marketing, and harness the power of data to earn coverage and drive conversations with The Bridge, Golin?ÇÖs award-winning real-time engagement network. Recently, Jeff has been at the center of the introduction of AI-powered innovations and tools to uplevel Golin?ÇÖs approach to content testing, campaign and reputation measurement, influencer identification and impact, and misinformation detection.?Ç£After two decades at Golin, I?ÇÖm honored to work alongside our global teams to help drive the agency?ÇÖs next transformation,?Ç¥ said Beringer. ?Ç£Golin?ÇÖs entrepreneurial culture, unique IP and collaborative client partnerships create the perfect conditions to thoughtfully implement AI for the benefit of our people and clients.?Ç¥Beringer will continue to serve as a strategic advisor to Golin?ÇÖs mature digital practice and its seasoned global digital leadership team. The award-winning group delivers a variety of services to clients spanning social strategy, content and campaigns, influencers, community engagement, paid media and analytics ?Çô all of which will benefit from the agency?ÇÖs AI evolution.

PR agency Golin has announced the promotion of Rafidah Rashid to Group Managing Director. In this newly created role, Rashid will provide centralized leadership and strategic direction for the agency's Singapore operations.Rashid brings over 13 years of experience in marketing communications to the role. Prior to her promotion, she served as Managing Director of Consumer, overseeing various sectors including beauty, lifestyle, education, and entertainment. Rashid is also a champion for diversity and inclusion, having recently been appointed co-lead of Golin's Asia Pacific Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council.Previously, Rashid honed her skills at DeVries Global, where she started as an Account Manager and eventually rose to become Managing Director within nine years. She brings a wealth of experience to Golin and will continue to report to Darren Burns, President of Asia Pacific.Expressing happiness over appointing Fidah to this role, Darren Burns, president of Asia Pacific, said that her unmatched energy for innovation, ability to create a vibrant culture, and her unique blend of experience, make her perfect for this role.?Ç£Under her leadership, we are evolving a new era that builds off our sustained success in Singapore,?Ç¥ Burns said. Rafidah Rashid said: ?Ç£As a leader, my mission is to champion industry-first innovations for brands, while empowering our people to reach their full potential."

McDonald's "Grimace's Birthday" campaign, created by Golin, was the star of the North American SABRE Awards, winning the top prize for Best Public Relations Campaign of 2023. This marks a historic night for Golin, becoming the first agency ever to snag three major awards: Best Agency to Work For, Large Agency of the Year, and Best in Show.The award-winning campaign addressed a significant drop in birthday celebrations at McDonald's. They brought back a beloved character, Grimace, to reignite excitement. This clever strategy resulted in a staggering 900% increase in birthday celebrations at McDonald's after five years of stagnation."This campaign was pure, fantastic consumer marketing," said Paul Holmes, head judge and founder of PRovoke Media. Awards often favor purpose-driven initiatives, but sometimes, great PR boils down to a creative idea that captures consumer imagination and fosters meaningful engagement."And the results in this case were nothing short of phenomenal," he concluded."Grimace's Birthday" triumphed over other impressive campaigns to win the coveted Platinum SABRE. These finalists included:  Dove's "Black Hair is Professional" with Ogilvy  SAG-AFTRA's "2023 Negotiations and Strike Campaign" with SAG-AFTRA  DHL Supply Chain's "Step Up for Safety" with Fahlgren Mortine  Aura Freedom's "For Her" Campaign with Veritas Communications and Forsman & Bodenfors"These finalists represent the incredible range of PR work seen this year," said Holmes. "From social justice efforts by Dove to navigating the Hollywood strike for SAG-AFTRA, to internal communications for DHL, any of these campaigns could have rightfully won the top prize."Ogilvy walked away as the biggest award winner, taking home eight trophies. MSL and Weber Shandwick followed with five awards each, while BCW snagged four. Finn Partners, Golin, and M Booth rounded out the top with three awards apiece.

Carlsberg, the iconic beer brand, has named Hope&Glory its new global PR and influencer marketing agency following a competitive selection process.The agency will be responsible for developing and executing strategic communication plans for Carlsberg's brand on a global scale, with a focus on the upcoming launch of a new creative platform and brand positioning: "Do the best things begin with curiosity? Probably." This tagline reflects Carlsberg's commitment to sparking consumer interest and engagement.Previously, Carlsberg's brand and corporate PR were handled by Golin, but the partnership ended in late 2023. This appointment comes alongside the recent selection of Richmond & Towers to manage PR and social media for Carlsberg's Brooklyn Brewery brand.Lynsey Woods, Carlsberg's Global Brand Director, expressed her enthusiasm about the new partnership: "We were impressed by Hope&Glory's capabilities, creativity, and ability to deliver exceptional results across both global and UK markets. We're confident they'll help us share captivating stories that bring joy to our consumers, and we're eager to see how they elevate our brand in the coming years."Dominique Daly, who will lead the Carlsberg account at Hope&Glory, echoed the excitement: "Carlsberg is the most iconic brand in its category. Probably. So, we jumped at the opportunity to bring a new platform of curiosity to life for today?ÇÖs consumers, helping them not just fall in love with the brand but also understand the richness of its brand story."Carlsberg joins a roster of clients who rely on Hope&Glory as their central creative hub, including major brands like Polestar (automotive), Pepsi, The Pokemon Company International, and adidas.

Bibi Hilton, a highly respected figure in the PR world, is rejoining the agency scene as Chief Client Officer for Global Markets at Ketchum.Hilton boasts an impressive career, having spent 13 years as Managing Director of Golin London before moving to IPG, the parent company, as Global Engagement Director on the Unilever account. In 2020, she transitioned to the social enterprise sector, leading Creative Access as Communications Director and ultimately becoming CEO in 2022. Hilton also served as President of the Women in PR network from 2018 to 2021.At Ketchum, Hilton will oversee client experience across all markets outside the US. A key focus will be ensuring Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) remains a core aspect of the agency's client service.Jo-ann Robertson, Ketchum's Global Markets CEO, expressed her admiration for Hilton, citing both her past accomplishments and their shared commitment to DEI. Robertson highlighted the importance of integrating DEI into client experience, stating, "There was really only one person for the job." She praised Hilton's ability to build strong relationships and her commitment to listening to clients' needs.Hilton's arrival coincides with the upcoming appointment of Ruth Allchurch as Ketchum's UK CEO in April. Robertson emphasized the collaboration between them, stating, "?Ǫshe and Ruth will be spending a lot of time together to make sure we are elevating client experience in our biggest market."Motivated by a desire to innovate and elevate client service, Hilton expressed her excitement about rejoining the PR industry at Ketchum. She highlighted the agency's shared values and her admiration for Robertson's leadership in DEI. Hilton plans to focus on "heightening our clients' experience and innovate," fostering collaboration across markets, and challenging industry norms. She also emphasized her commitment to building diverse teams that drive client growth.Hilton's appointment comes after the recent departure of Ketchum's UK Chief Client Officer, Alicia Solanki, to Team Lewis. This new role marks the first of two Chief Client Officer positions for Ketchum, with Robertson planning to appoint a US counterpart soon.