LONDON — Former CNN Business emerging markets editor and anchor John Defterios has joined APCO Worldwide as a senior advisor, bringing more than 35 years of experience covering business developments, with a focus on trade, geopolitics and energy. Based in London, but splitting his time between Europe and the MENA region, Defterios will support the development of branded content for global media platforms. Until recently retiring from CNN, Defterios had been based in the network’s Abu Dhabi bureau since 2011. Over his career, he has covered events including the Gulf War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the World Trade Centre bombings, G8 and G20 summits and the LA riots.

LONDON — Red Consultancy has promoted Emily Morgan, head of the agency’s specialist food and drink, wellbeing and beauty consumer unit Life, to the new role of operations and innovation managing director. Morgan’s new role covers innovation in client work, training, diversity, and sustainability. Perena Barrett, formerly Morgan’s deputy, takes the MD role at Life. Isobel Coney was recently appointed as Red’s first agency-wide managing director.

LONDON — Hill+Knowlton Strategies has hired Danielle Leach and James Drewer as managing directors of its corporate affairs and advisory practice, reporting to Tanya Joseph. Lisa Kilmartin was also hired as an MD in the practice last month. Leach previously held senior in-house communications and public affairs roles at Google and Ericsson Mobile Commerce, as well as agency roles at APCO Worldwide, WE Communications and Group SJR. Drewer was previously a director at CT Partners and was a public affairs managing partner at Maitland/AMO.

LONDON — Missive has promoted Gemma Dunn and Hannah Devoy to director after a series of new client wins and organic growth. The agency has also hired three new consultants in the last month and plans to hire more than five additional team members by the end of the year. Giles Peddy, CEO, Missive, said: “Gemma and Hannah have been invaluable to the team and consultancy since they joined, and during the pandemic they have been outstanding leaders. Missive is growing rapidly and expanding its services, and Gemma and Hannah have been instrumental in that success.”

LONDON – KFC UK & Ireland has promoted marketing director Jack Hinchliffe to chief marketing officer. He succeeds Meg Farren, who is leaving the fast food business this summer.

LONDON — Lansons has appointed Sam Sharpe as a new board director after seven years at Cognito, where she ran accounts across the EMEA region and established the ESG and sustainability practice. Sharpe will support and grow Lansons’ integrated marketing communications offer.

DUBAI — PRCA MENA’s NextGen Arabia Group is launching an online community platform, Hala NextGen to support the next generation of Arabic PR professionals. The platform is open to all levels of the industry across the Middle East, from graduates and junior executives to senior professionals, to network, collaborate, and share best practice. ‘Hala’ means ‘welcome’ in Arabic.

LONDON — St Austell Brewery has hired Wild Card as its PR agency to unveil a new look for its Korev lager brand. The agency has been briefed to run a multiplatform brand awareness campaign this summer.

LONDON — ESG advisory business Longevity Partners has appointed The PHA Group as its UK corporate PR agency. The agency’s entrepreneur and business division will be working with the executive team, with a focus on press office and strategic communications as the business, currently in 38 countries, expands worldwide. Longevity Partners helps governments and businesses including Axa Investment Managers, Invesco and Barings meet climate-related goals, primarily improving climate resilience within the property sector.

HAMPSHIRE, UK — Jargon PR has been appointed by digital transformation consultancy Digitopia. The agency’s brief is to increase awareness of Digitopia across the finance, technology, business, retail, consumer goods, insurance, manufacturing and automotive media while driving website traffic and sales leads.

MANCHESTER, UK — Tangerine Partnership has more than doubled the size of its creative team from 7 to 16 as part of a programme of investment across the 85-strong agency. Joint MD Sam Gregory said: “We’ve completely restructured our agency over the past couple of years to capitalise on emerging communications trends and technologies. On-point creative is an essential part of getting this right and we have raised the bar again with this latest injection of talent.” The team most recently made headlines with its support of the England team at the Euros on behalf of Specsavers, in the shape of an eyechart-inspired ‘It’s Coming Home’ billboard (pictured).