SANTA MONICA — Porter Novelli’s Sean Smith has joined The Recording Academy in the newly created role of executive VP of communications and Andie Cox has been elevated to VP of communications. Smith, with the support of Cox, will lead the overall communications strategy for the Academy, including media relations, corporate communications, and reputation management. He joins after more than a decade at Porter Novelli, whose global reputation management practice he led as an executive VP.

WASHINGTON — The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies has named Chandra Hayslett VP of communications. Hayslett (pictured) will be responsible for the development and implementation of an innovative, integrated communications strategy to amplify and advance the Joint Center’s strategic audience engagement, research priorities, and growth. Prior to joining the Joint Center, she was director of communications at the Center for Constitutional Rights, where she led the overall development of strategic communications.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Longtime global communications specialist Aaron Sherinian has joined Deseret Management Corp. as senior VP of global reach. Sherinian joins from Philip Morris, where he was VP of global communications transformation.