LOS ANGELES—SKDKnickerbocker has hired veteran Democratic strategist Bill Burton to launch its new California office in LA. Burton will be joining the firm as a managing director in SKDKnickerbocker Los Angeles. He was among the first hires on President Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, working as the national press secretary and then serving as White House deputy press secretary during Obama's first term. Burton then co-founded and served as senior strategist for Priorities USA Action, a super PAC dedicated to re-electing Obama that raised more than $90m. Most recently, he has served as an adviser to and strategist for corporations, Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits.

WASHINGTON, DC—Brunswick Group has appointed Michael Krempasky as head of its digital practice. Krempasky is based in the firm's Washington, D.C. office, and will spend the majority of his time building out the firm's digital offering both domestically and internationally, working closely Brunswick unit MerchantCantos, which focuses on design, digital and video. Krempasky comes to Brunswick from Edelman where he was GM, focused on Internet strategy and communications, marketing and advocacy in Washington, D.C.

MEXICO CITY—Edelman has announced two new hires in its Mexico office: Sergio Sanchez as vice president of strategic planning, and Eduardo Cisneros as creative vice president. Sanchez has over 17 years of experience in strategic planning, brand building and developing communications strategies in the advertising industry, including positions at Cheil, JWT and TBWA. Before Edelman, Cisneros was in charge of a hybrid group of creatives at BBDO, and he worked at different advertising agencies including JWT.

NEW YORK—Lippe Taylor has added former beauty and web editor Abby Gardner in a newly created position as the agency's vice president of content. With a long career in publishing, Gardner has held numerous editorial positions, including serving as a digital director of Marie Claire and Cosmopolitan, beauty director at YM and senior editor at Glo.com, Daily Front Row and fashionista.com. She also served as a writer at Allure. More recently, she has been consulting with various publishing web sites on content and social media strategies.

WASHINGTON, DC—Alpaytac has expanded its Washington, D.C. office by hiring public affairs and media relations specialist  Justin Wilson. Wilson joins Alpaytac as an account director, focusing on the firm's Turkish Government assignment. Prior to joining Alpaytac, Wilson worked at Levick as a crisis communications consultant and media relations specialist. 

HOLLYWOOD, FL—Fish Consulting has hired Lynette McKee as a business development consultant to build partnerships within franchising. McKee will continue to serve her clients as CEO and managing partner of McKeeCo Services, a franchise strategic advisory firm she founded, while assisting Fish in new business development. McKee comes to Fish with more than two decades of strategic franchise development experience with companies such as Dunkin' Brands, Denny's, Checkers and Metromedia Restaurant Group.