WASHINGTON, DC—Joshua Lamel has been appointed senior vice president and practice leader of Hill & Knowlton’s DC technology team. He will report to Hadley Wilkins, director of the US technology practice, and Duncan Burns, general manager of the DC office. Previously, Lamel founded and ran J2 Public Strategies, a full service consulting, government relations and lobbying firm. Prior to that he worked in a number of roles at the trade association TechAmerica and on Capitol Hill for Congressman Kendrick Meek as chief of staff and Senator Ron Wyden as legislative counsel.

NEW YORK—MSLGroup Americas has named Kate DiRanna as senior vice president, entertainment marketing, MSL New York. DiRanna will lead the Americas' entertainment marketing group and be charged with developing holistic entertainment marketing programs for the firm's clients. She joins from Media Storm, where she was responsible for the growth and development of the partnership marketing group, which worked with clients including Cisco/Flip, Viacom, and Scripps networks.

MINNEAPOLIS—Carmichael Lynch Spong has hired Keith Negrin as a senior counselor, leading clients such as Sherwin-Williams in the agency’s home industry group. He returns to the firm after serving as director of client strategy at Maccabee Group. In addition, the firm has hired Jenna Bennett from LaBreche as a senior associate; Perrie Finsand as a social engagement specialist from Weber Shandwick’s Boston office; and Amber Fadok as associate in the New York office.

MINNEAPOLIS—Padilla Speer Beardsley has promoted three new senior directors: Chris Higgins, who leads integrated communications programs for several divisions of BASF; Matt Sullivan, who joined Padilla’s corporate and investor relations team in 1998; and Dave Heinsch, who manages corporate and investor relations work for clients. In addition, Danielle Engholm and Heidi Wight have been promoted to director.

BOSTON—Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications has promoted Sandra Goldfarb to leader of its newly-created nonprofit, consumer, arts and entertainment group. Goldfarb joined Rasky Baerlein in 2008 as a vice president working with the firm’s nonprofit, academic, consumer and energy and environment practice groups. Prior to joining Rasky Baerlein, Goldfarb directed an independent consulting practice, Goldfarb Communications Group.

CLEVELAND—Dix & Eaton has promoted Karin Bonev, who serves both D&E’s employee communications and customer communications practice areas, and Kellie Friery, a member of its investor relations practice. Before joining Dix & Eaton in 2003, Bonev worked in the education and communications group at Victory Capital Management. Friery was previously a senior auditor with Ernst & Young in Cleveland.