STOCKHOLM—Swedish public relations firm Prime has hired Katrina Wong, formerly vice president planning director at BBDO in New York, to its Stockholm office, where she will work as a planner. She has also worked as strategic planner for Droga5 and Leo Burnett in Sydney and worked with clients such as WWF, HBO, AT&T and Telstra.

LONDON—Political communications business Dods has appointed Alastair Gornall as chairman. He will join the board, initially as a non-executive director, while Kevin Hand will stand down as chairman at the annual general meeting on September 26. Gornall spent three years with BusinessWeek magazine in the US, before returning to London where he founded and grew two award winning public relations businesses and then spending six years as chief executive officer of Reed Exhibitions. He is currently chairman of Blue Rubicon.

LEEDS—Train operator East Coast has appointed Umpf to support its social media strategy. Umpf has been appointed to assist East Coast's in-house team in developing its strategy to drive integration of social across all areas of the business, with the objective of enhancing its customer base as part of a wider company strategy to create seamless customer communications across all channels. The PR and social media agency will provide strategic advice, tactical initiatives, proactive content and community management, as well as wider campaigns for the brand.

HAMPSHIRE, UK—Jargon PR has been appointed by creative communications agency Holland+Semark. The agency will help to drive brand awareness and manage the reputation of Holland+Semark throughout the regional, marketing and digital design media.

MANCHESTER—Beattie Communications has picked up two new briefs to provide PR services for children’s toy and gaming brands. The agency, which has a specialist kids PR division, has been appointed to promote a range of new kids’ gaming accessories for KidzPLAY, an official PlayStation3 accessories developer for kids, and for licensed brand Punky Princess, driving engagement among the tween girl audience, as well as raising its profile amongst the licensing and toy trade media.