WASHINGTON, DC— Burson-Marsteller has added Jeremy Gaines has joined the firm as a managing director on the US strategy team, and Benjamin Chang as a managing director in the US public affairs and crisis practice. Both are based in Washington, DC. Before joining Burson-Marsteller, Gaines was vice president, corporate communications, for Gannett (renamed TEGNA in 2015) and VP, corporate communications and director of strategic development at MSNBC. Chang was vice president and events editor for the Los Angeles Times, senior vice president of communications for the Albright Stonebridge Group, and principal of The Podesta Group.

BOSTON—Cone Communications has hired Imelda Suriato as vice president in its planning and integrated solutions group. Most recently, Suriato founded and led I’m Not a Monster, a PR and marketing agency, and over her career has worked with global brands including Coca-Cola, Verizon, Pantone, Christian Dior, DKNY, Lexus, Max Mara and Revlon. She will play a leadership role in the firm’s consumer intelligence, planning, and integrated strategy efforts. 

MIAMI—Cross-cultural advertising, digital and communications agency República has named Lourdes Mateo de Acosta senior vice president of communications. Mateo de Acosta, who previously served as a consultant to the agency, now heads its public relations practice and provides strategic counsel for the agency and its clients. Previously, Mateo de Acosta has held senior management positions at top international public relations firms, including Edelman, Weber Shandwick Worldwide, FleishmanHillard, and Ketchum Public Relations. She was most recently executive vice president and partner at H+M Communications.