BRUSSELS—Frédéric Michel has been named Europe director, public affairs and communication, at Telefónica. He joins Telefónica from News Corporation where he most recently served as senior vice-president, government affairs and public policy for Europe. In his new role, he will report to Richard Poston, director of corporate affairs, and will help lead Telefónica's EU strategy, based in Brussels. Michel was previously founding director of the international think-tank Policy Network and managing partner of the international consultancy Reputation Inc.

LONDON—Brands2Life has appointed O2’s head of social media and PR, Alex Pearmain (pictured), as director, responsible for digital and social media. Pearmain will be responsible for further developing the company’s digital and social media capabilities, leading the company’s eight-strong digital and social media team and contributing to the overall strategic direction of the business. He will report to co-founders Sarah Scales and Giles Fraser. Pearmain previously was head of digital at Fishburn Hedges.

LONDON—Firefly Communications has appointed Phil Szomszor as head of business and digital, complementing recent hire Fiona Hughes as head of consumer. Szomszor joins from international PR agency Citigate Dewe Rogerson, where he was director and head of digital.

FRANKFURT—Pascal Frank has joined German public relations firm A & B One and will be responsible for growing its expertise in change restructuring and HR communications. Frank joins from Hill+Knowlton Strategies, where he was a managing director in the corporate communications unit. He spent an earlier stint at A&B and also worked at Deekeling Arndt Advisors.

LONDON—Mace, the international consultancy and construction company, has appointed Fishburn Hedges to support its communication with government and industry. According to Cath Green, director of marketing and communications at Mace, “2012 is a massive year for us with the Olympics, the completion of The Shard and the opening of the Emirates Air Line cable-car across The Thames. Fishburn Hedges will be helping us to share insights from these projects and the many others we lead around the world.”
 
LONDON—Technology public relations firm Chameleon has been appointed by Apple subsidiary Filemaker, a development platform that sits behind data-driven applications. Chameleon will be targeting major corporations, SMEs, entrepreneurs, developers and the Apple ecosystem on behalf of FileMaker. It will deliver an integrated communications campaign, combining earned, owned and paid communication through traditional and digital media.

LONDON—Creative firm gyro has named Nick Jefferson as managing director of its London office. He will report to gyro's global chief executive and chief creative officer Christoph Becker. Jefferson is the former CEO of Corporate Edge, a branding and creative agency, and has worked with clients such as EDF Energy, Shell and Aramco Overseas Company. Prior to Corporate Edge, Jefferson was the head of corporate communication agency, Likemind.

LONDON—Chameleon has promoted Jo Lee to associate director. She has been with the firm for two years, and is now responsible for the growth and development of Chameleon practice areas in medical and retail/marketing. Lee will also continue to oversee a number of technology clients. In addition, consultant Nicola Gibb is working with Chameleon to focus on its consumer portfolio.