CHAPEL HILL, NC: The University of North Carolina has appointed Joel Curran, MD of MSLGroup's New York office, as its first vice chancellor for communications and public affairs.
Curran, a University of North Carolina alumnus, will begin his new role on December 2. Reporting to Chancellor Carol Folt, Curran's responsibilities will include managing efforts to promote the university's mission with key audiences.
He will oversee a university relations staff that produces stories and content for the school's homepage and includes units responsible for media relations, official social media accounts, internal communications, and print and Web design.
Prior to joining MSL in 2008, Curran was MD of CKPR in Chicago for nearly nine years. Previously, he served as VP and senior counselor at Price/McNabb for three years. Curran also worked at Walt Disney as a director from August 1986 to July 1996.
MSLGroup named Curran MD of its New York office in September 2012, succeeding Renee Wilson, who took on the role of North America president at the firm a month earlier. Wilson replaced Jim Tsokanos in the position.
MSL is actively recruiting for Curran's replacement.
Curran and other representatives from the Publicis Groupe agency declined to disclose any further information on his move.
Folt was not immediately available for comment on Curran's appointment.
