NEW YORK — Golin has hired the US state department’s Luke Peterson as North America head of data & analytics for the Golin Group.

In the newly created role, Peterson will develop and oversee measurement strategy for Golin Group’s four agency brands — Golin, The Brooklyn Brothers, Virgo Health and DeVries Global.

He reports to New York president Dawn Langeland and works closely with group chief strategy officer Paul Parton.

Peterson has spent the last six years at the US Department of State, where he most recently served as deputy assistant secretary leading research and analytics for global public affairs. His responsibilities in that role included supporting US government communications efforts aimed at shifting awareness, opinions, and actions of audiences abroad on issues including Covid vaccines, climate change and bolstering trust in the US overseas.

Before joining the state department as an analytics director, Peterson was Burson-Marsteller’s US head of analytics and innovation.

“Luke has served three presidents and four secretaries of state as a one-of-a-kind insights expert,” said Parton. “I look forward to integrating his expertise and unique background with our agency teams to help guide business decisions for our clients that draw a more quantifiable connection between brand reputation and media coverage with consumer perception and purchase power.