CHICAGO—Weber Shandwick, has appointed Maryanne Giustino O'Dowd, currently an executive vice president, to corporate practice lead. At the same time, David Polk, formerly executive director of corporate communications at Amgen Corp., joined the practice as an executive vice president. O'Dowd has been a leader in the firm's consumer practice since 2004. Polk has more than 20 years of corporate communications experience at companies including Amgen, Tyco International, Raytheon, Amoco and General Motors.

NEW YORK, NY—Technology and digital communications specialist Horn Group has promoted Ben Billingsley (pictured) to partner. Reporting to Sabrina Horn, agency founder and CEO, Billingsley is responsible for leading and managing the firm's New York office. He joined the office in 2006 as vice president and has since established the agency's leadership in the digital media sector. Before joining Horn Group, he was the manager of client service at CooperKatz.

LOS ANGELES—GolinHarris has apppointed Gary Caloroso as executive director, a new position at the agency. Caloroso will be based in Los Angeles and will report to Samantha Sackin, executive director and leader of the office’s consumer practice. He will lead and manage several client accounts in the food and beverage arena, and is the most senior agriculture and commodities expert in the region. Prior to rejoining GolinHarris, Caloroso served most recently as vice president at Augustine Ideas, a marketing communications agency specializing in commodity boards and trade associations, produce companies and supermarket chains.

CHICAGO—The Grossman Group has appointed Megan Ross to vice president and senior thoughtpartner. Since joining The Grossman Group in early 2011, Megan has worked to help clients improve how leaders communicate with employees, elevate communication team capabilities, and develop strategic messaging for organizations’ key functions and business initiatives to tell their story. Prior to joining The Grossman Group, Megan lived in Hong Kong and worked for GolinHarris and Burson-Marsteller.

NEW YORK—Public interest public relations specialist Fenton has promoted Susan McPherson to its first director of global marketing. McPherson has served as a senior vice president at Fenton’s New York office for 20 months and was instrumental in growing the firm’s corporate responsibility practice. In her new role, she will continue to drive growth in the CSR practice and will also drive visibility for the firm overall and provide support as it grows into new international regions. Prior to joining Fenton, McPherson was vice president of CSR services at PR Newswire.

PROVIDENCE, RI—Integrated marketing firm Duffy & Shanley has appointed Annette Maggiacomo, vice president of public relations, as a partner. Maggiacomo has presided over 300 percent growth over the past two years and works with clients such as AT&T, Foster Grant, Staples, Hawthorne & Wren and Brahmin. Also appointed to the partnership ranks are Jeremy Duffy, vice president of business development, and Michael Silvia, creative director.

LOS ANGELES—Jeff McConnell, president of McConnell Government Relations, has joined Englander Knabe & Allen as senior vice president. McConnell Government Relations is a government and public affairs firm with strong contacts in Los Angeles City Hall and the Los Angeles County Hall of Administration. Before opening his own firm, McConnell was vice president of Arnie Berghoff & Associates, and legislative deputy to Los Angeles City Councilman Nick Pacheco.

CHICAGO—Tim Morral has been promoted to senior copywriter with Walker Sands Communications, a full-service marketing and public relations firm based in Chicago. Prior to his new role, Morral was a freelance copywriter for Walker Sands and Gaebler.com, a news and information website.