CHICAGO—Edelman has named Jay Porter to replace the departing Rick Murray as head of its Chicago office.

Murray leaves Edelman after 12 years with the firm, which included founding the original practice that became Edelman Digital. He has spent the past four years as Chicago president, but departs to "pursue new interests".

Eight-year Edelman veteran Porter was most recently head of the agency's global Starbucks account. He previously led the San Francisco office.

“Jay will bring an extraordinary blend of brand strategy, marketing integration and operational prowess to the role,” said Edelman US CEO Mark Hass, to whom Porter will report. “The office has grown substantially under Rick’s leadership and we believe Jay will continue to drive that development.”