QUITO—Spanish public relations firm Inforpress has opened a new office in Quito, Ecuador. The new office is led by Elena Fernández, an expert in corporate communications and strategic positioning with experience in Spain, Portugal, France and Australia. According to Fernández, “Ecuador is one of the main countries in the region for its dynamism and economic development.” Inforpress now has offices in eight Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries.

HOUSTON—Saxum, an Oklahamo-based integrated marketing communications agency offering public relations, advertising and digital services, has opened an office in Houston and has hired agency veteran Teresa Henderson to serve as senior vice president of client development. Henderson previously served as senior vice president and general manager of Pierpont Communications in Dallas and before that was executive vice president and regional general manager for Edelman in Dallas and Austin.

WASHINGTON, DC—Ben Finzel, a veteran of the Clinton administration and agencies including Edelman and FleishmanHillard, has launched RenewPR, an energy and environmental communications consulting firm. It will provide senior counsel, advice and outreach to corporate, association, non-governmental organization, alliance, coalition and foundation clients. Finzel's professional background includes service on the Hill (as press secretary for Rep. Tim Valentine and legislative director for Rep. Bill Richardson), in the Clinton Administration (as communications director for the office of energy efficiency and renewable energy at the US Department of Energy) and in communications firms (Edelman, Fleishman-Hillard and Widmeyer Communications). He was previously executive vice president at Glen Echo Group.

NEW YORK—Julie Livingston has launched Livingston PR, which will offer marketing and communications services, as well as assist in business development and strategic partnerships. She previously served as senior director at CarrotNew York and before that was a director at Child’s Play Communications. She has worked with clients including Liz Claiborne, Scholastic, DeBeers, World Gold Council, the Toy Industry Association, De Beers, Piaget, Clarins USA, and the Gemological Institute of America.

MIAMI—ASGK Public Strategies—with offices in Chicago, New York, and Washington, DC—has opened a South Florida office in Miami. Kelly Penton Chacon will join as a director in the Miami office. Prior to joining ASGK, Penton Chacon served as vice president at Schwartz Media Strategies, leading work in the areas of economic development, land use, real estate and public-private partnerships. She was also communications director for FairDistricts Florida.

NEW YORK—Wakeman Agency is expanding its offerings to include public relations services for social change films. The new initiative, called Films for Change, will create awareness for films that focus on social issues as well as to generate interest in social change efforts.