Global: The Week in Global PR

The other finalists in the review were Emanate, SPM Communications and Mason Communications.

Quintessentially Communications and Neville McCarthy Associates have launched a joint agency based in Hong Kong. QNM Communications will be led by managing director Dominic McCarthy and director Amy Perkins.

WCG has hired Rob Cronin to launch a healthcare practice in San Francisco. Previously, Cronin led corporate comms at Surescripts, America's largest health information network.

Golden Island Gourmet Snacks has selected Morgan Marketing & Public Relations as its comms agency. Morgan will focus on national and regional media outreach and social media to engage consumers.

Levick Strategic Communications has named senior vice-president Ernest DelBuono as chair of the firm's crisis practice. Before joining Levick, DelBuono served as a press assistant to Thad Allen, commander of the Coast Guard.

Gibraltar AssociateS has hired Hope Boonshaft as executive vice-president and general manager of its Los Angeles office.