On the Move: Focus Brands Focuses on BCW's Dawn Ray

Dawn Ray

Focus Brands, parent company of such brands as Carvel, Cinnabon and Schlotzsky's, has brought on Dawn Ray as senior vice president of corporate communications. Ray comes to Focus from BCW, where was a senior vice president, based in the agency’s Memphis office. She has also served as vice president, corporate communications at EdR Collegiate Housing and director, trade and development public relations at Hilton. At Focus, Ray will lead strategic corporate communications and build trade public relations and communications for franchise sales. "Dawn's business acumen and leadership in communications and public relations for some of the world's most well-known brands will be an asset to the company as we engage our stakeholders and prospects in new and evolving markets," said Focus Brands CEO Jim Holthouser.

Kate Charles

Lippe Taylor has hired Kate Charles as chief planning officer. Her previous positions include chief strategy officer at Seiden and head of insights & planning at 360i. In her newly created post, Charles will leader oversee Lippe Taylor’s analytics capability, reporting to CEO Paul Dyer. Dyer calls Charles “a world-class planning” who will bring together the agency’s strengths in analytics, creative and earned media. Lippe Taylor has also added Sarah Rose, who was previously vice president, strategy & insights at Edelman, to its analytics team.

Donna LaVoie

LaVoieHealthScience president, CEO and founder Donna LaVoie has been named to the PharmaVOICE 100 Most Inspiring People in the life-sciences industry. The award recognizes LaVoie’s influence as a corporate leader, passion and conviction for the industry and her ability to think outside the box to develop and implement integrated communications strategies. Since 2005, the PharmaVOICE 100, the only awards program that recognizes achievement across all sectors of the life science industry, has honored more than 1,500 industry executives for their contributions to the life sciences. LaVoie and the other 2020 honorees will be celebrated during 24 hours of digital programming on Thursday, Sept. 10 that will include interactive panels, networking opportunities, video interviews and more.

Andrew Bleeker

Bully Pulpit president and founder Andrew Bleeker has been named to the board of directors of The LAGRANT Foundation. He will serve on the foundation’s talent acquisition committee, where he will work to develop and create programs to recruit and hire diverse talent. Before joining Bully Pulpit in 2009, Bleeker was lead digital marketing strategist on president Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign. He also was digital director for Obama’s inaugural committee. Bleeker previously served as global digital practice leader at Hill+Knowlton Strategies. TLF chairman and CEO Kim L. Hunter said that Bleeker’s “passion for digital communications and demonstrated track record will undoubtedly bring value to TLF and its mission.”