BRUSSELS—Former EU Commission director general Jörgen Holmquist,  is to join international public affairs consultancy Interel in a senior advisory role. The firms says the move is designed to strengthen Interel’s financial services practice and to offer strategic counsel to all clients responding to the continuing financial crisis in the euro zone. Holmquist served as director general of internal market and services and was at the forefront of the EU’s response to the financial crisis. He also held top level posts including director general of fisheries and maritime affairs, deputy director general of budget and director in the directorate general for agriculture.

LONDON—Juliet Clarke has joined financial consultancy M: Communications from Torex Retail Holdings, where she was director of marketing and communications, to build a dedicated tech sector team. Prior to Torex, Clarke was senior vice president in the technology, media and telecoms team at FTI Consulting, formerly Financial Dynamics. Previous clients include ARM Holdings, Dassault Systèmes, Intec Telecom Systems, Oakley Capital, PartyGaming, PV Crystalox, QXL Ricardo, SDL and Spirent.

LONDON—Caryn Tomlinson has been appointed senior VP, corporate communications, at Universal Music Group International, reporting to Max Hole, chief operating officer, UMGI, and Peter LoFrumento, president, global communications and chief communications officer, Universal Music Group. Tomlinson will be responsible for all UMGI’s internal and external corporate communications and media relations, working closely with its business units and operating companies around the world. She was most recently senior VP, artist relations, global at EMI Music since 2006, having joined the company in 2002. Previously, she was PR Director for UK/Europe at EMI Music Publishing.

LONDON—Erin Leuschke has joined Interel as head of digital from interactive digital design agency Plus-2.com where she was group account director. Based in London but working across the company’s international client base, Leuschke will integrate Interel’s digital offer across its public affairs, strategic communications and association management businesses. She is a former TV producer and has directed global projects for companies including ITV, TNT Express and VirginAtlantic.

LONDON—International public relations company Ballou PR has opened a new office in Berlin. The firm, which works with high-growth technology companies such as Eventbrite, Zendesk, HotelTonight, Waze, Unruly Media, Seatwave and GP Bullhound, already has offices in London and Paris.

ZURICH—Chocolate and cocoa provider Barry Callebaut has appointed Gaby Tschofen as head of corporate communications, reporting directly to CEO Juergen Steinemann. Tschofen held the same function from 2001 until 2010 and for the past two years has worked as a self-employed communications consultant for customers from various industries. Earlier in her career, she was vice president corporate communications at Zurich Financial Services Group.

LONDON—QuickPlay Media, a leading provider of cloud-based managed solutions for distribution of premium video to IP-connected devices, has hired specialist technology marketing and PR consultancy Liberty Communications. Liberty will be working to raise awareness of QuickPlay across Western Europe and promote the company’s managed service offerings and value proposition among large European service providers, mobile operators, and content providers.