NEW YORK — Lippe Taylor has hired Manvir Kalsi as the agency’s new SVP, insights & planning. Kalsi brings both client and agency experience, most notably as a long-time research and insights leader at Samsung Electronics America. At Lippe Taylor, he will be leading the Insights & Planning team, which includes analytics, qualitative and quantitative research and customized strategic solutions for clients.

NEW YORK —Charles Koons has joined Brunswick as a partner in its New York office with a focus on M&A, shareholder activism, corporate governance, and investor engagement. Koons was most recently managing director of the activism & contested situations advisory Group at Morrow Sodali, advising clients on shareholder activism, and mergers and acquisitions. Before that, he was managing director at Mackenzie Partners.

TORONTO —Beattie Tartan has appointed PR veteran Nicole Amiel to drive its growth across Eastern Canada. Based from Toronto, Amiel will lead the company’s expansion throughout Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. Amiel (pictured, right, with CEO Laurna Woods) has worked in public relations, communications, marketing and events in Montreal, Miami and Toronto for nearly 15 years, both in house and agency-side at companies including KWT Global (Toronto), Holmes PR (Toronto), rock-it promotions (Toronto), NKPR (Toronto), 1Milk2Sugars (Montreal), ALDO Group (Montreal) and Carma PR (formerly ROC Media; Miami).

CHICAGO — Current Global has made key appointments to its growing healthcare practice in North America. Additionally, the agency’s London office announced the appointment of Nivey Nocher as Director of Health, UK. The four new hires are senior VP Lisa Shichijo;  VP Andria Arena; senior manager Beth Schifflin; and senior manager, scientific communications Megan Gyrion.

NASHVILLE — McNeely Brockman Public Relations has hired Staci Kirpach as an account supervisor. Kirpach has cross-functional expertise in community and media relations, crisis communication, civic engagement, strategic planning, program development, fundraising counsel, and event management. Prior to joining MBPR, she advanced the work of more than 60 companies and causes as a consultant in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.   

CLEVELAND — Dix & Eaton announced six key promotions and a recent addition to the firm’s staff. The agency has promoted Theresa Allen to controller; Angela Almasy, Joanne Darrah and Nicolle Huffman to assistant vice presidents; Angela Martin to senior account executive; and Cheryl Egan to executive assistant.  The firm has also hired Natalie Robson as a content strategist.