SÃO PAULO — SOKO has promoted COO Brisa Vicente to co-CEO, a role she will share with founder CEO Felipe Simi. Meantime, partner Felipe Belinky, who has been serving as chief creative officer, will fill the COO role. Other promotions include Ana Cortat, who was head of data and strategy, being named VP of brand strategy and connections, integrating strategy, data, broadcasting and paid media. Gabriela Rodrigues, who was the agency’s head of culture and impact, is now VP of impact, tasked with transforming the agency’s social impact projects into a separate business unit.

LOS ANGELES — Ideal, a Hill+Knowlton company, has appointed Amanda Shareghi as senior VP of business development for its US operations. Based in Los Angeles, Shareghi will spearhead the agency’s growth strategy across the region, reporting to Ideal Global CEO, Ricardo Cesar. A 15-year veteran of the technology communications industry, Shareghi has worked in venture-backed startups, agencies and international newsrooms, including directing communications for the launch of AJ Digital, Al Jazeera’s media incubator. She has also led communications efforts for several early-stage funding rounds.

CHICAGO — JConnelly has hired Ryan Hughes as assistant VP of public relations. Hughes will be responsible for leading the team in retainer and project-based client revenue. In his most recent role as senior manager at Hiltzik Strategies, Hughes was responsible for managing account teams across sectors including politics, philanthropy, entertainment and the media, national security, blockchain and cryptocurrency, financial services, technology and artificial intelligence, corporate and professional services, non-profits and education.