WESTPORT, CT: Allied Domecq Spirits & Wine North America has hired David Karraker as vice-president of corporate communications. Karraker, former director of marketing communications for retail giant Kmart, will move to Connecticut in November to take up the role.
WASHINGTON DC: Gordon Johndroe last week started work as press secretary to First Lady Laura Bush. Johndroe, formerly an assistant White House press secretary under Ari Fleischer, replaces Noelia Rodriguez, who will become chief of staff to billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad. Rodriguez will also serve as director of external affairs for The Broad Foundation, a charity supporting education reform and foster care.
SEATTLE/LOS ANGELES: Edelman has named Patrick McGuire and Gail Becker as co-presidents of the agency’s western region. McGuire is general manager of the Seattle office, and Becker is general manager in LA. The latter said she saw growth potential in the tech PR sector, particularly in digital entertainment and digital rights management.
strasbourg: Carsten Tilger has been appointed head of corporate comms for pharma giant Aventis, reporting to chairman Igor Landau. Former head of public affairs and comms Gilles Brisson has moved to become senior vice-president of commercial operations for Europe.
SACRAMENTO, CA: Former Goddard Claussen Porter Novelli partner Frank Schubert has opened his own firm, Schubert Public Affairs, in Sacramento. The move comes just months after both of Goddard Claussen’s founders left their agency. Last month Porter Novelli ditched the Goddard Claussen brand.
BUENOS AIRES: North American power giant AES has appointed Guillermo Baistrocchi as comms director for Argentina, following a search lasting six months. Baistrocchi was formerly IR manager for Correo Argentino, the Argentinian post office.
LOS ANGELES: Cardiovascular medical device maker Guidant has enlisted FischerHealth’s medical devices and diagnostics practice to handle its corporate and product PR.
