LOS ANGELES—Lagrant Communications has appointed senior counselor Paulo Lima to lead the firm’s Hispanic practice as vice president, managing director, responsible for new business development, overall strategic direction and day-to-day management. For the past 10 years, Lima has served on the agency’s senior leadership team where he has worked with clients such as Harley-Davidson, Zimmer, LA Care Health Plan, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Prior to Lagrant, Lima spent 12 years in the travel and tourism industry with United Airlines and others.

LOS ANGELES—Dennis Dembia has been elevated to senior vice president at global entertainment public relations and marketing agency Rogers & Cowan. The new role involves overseeing publicity, marketing and branding initiatives for a roster of clients operating in the film and television space around the world. Dembia joined Rogers & Cowan in 2004, having previously managed corporate publicity at Denmead Marketing, a boutique agency specializing in international marketing and PR.

TORONTO—energi PR has named Marlo Taylor as partner and general manager. Taylor, who joined the agency several  years ago as vice president and healthcare practice lead, will oversee the Toronto office and will continue to provide  strategic counsel to clients. She has 14 years of experience in public relations with agencies including National Public Relations and FleishmanHillard. Co-founders and owners Carol Levine and Esther Buchsbaum will become chief executive officer and president respectively.

NEW YORK—Hawkins International Public Relations has appointed hospitality industry veteran Jennifer Oberstein as managing director. She will oversee new business development and creative strategy for the firm. Oberstein joins HIPR from The Leading Hotels of the World, where she spent four years as senior director overseeing corporate communications, media relations, events, promotions and social media strategies. Previously, Oberstein was regional director of public relations for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

BEDMINSTER, NJ—MCS Healthcare Public Relations has appointed Cindy Romano as senior vice president. Prior to joining MCS, Romano was an executive vice president at Zeno Group in New York, where she worked on a variety of campaigns designed to educate consumers about the benefits and applications of stem cells in regenerative medicine. Prior to Zeno Group, Romano was a group director with Twist Mktg and worked at Chandler Chicco Agency.

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Crosby Marketing Communications has added Sarah Sechrist as a senior PR and reputation manager. She will play a lead role in creating and implementing national and regional publicity and reputation management programs. Previously, she served as a public relations account supervisor for Planit in Baltimore, Md., working with a variety of healthcare, building product, and non-profit clients.

RALEIGH, NC—Brand agency Clean Design has added Taylor Raasch as PR manager. Raasch previously worked at Weber Shandwick New York on a number of technology and consumer accounts. She will help to grow the firm’s public relations business, offering clients expertise in media relations, content development, campaign strategy, social media, crisis counseling and more.