ABU DHABI—Edelman has appointed Nicola McAlpine (pictured) as general manager for the United Arab Emirates, where she leads a team of more than 70 staff across Edelman’s offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. She joined the Edelman UAE team as a director and global client relationship manager in 2011, from Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, where she was an international communications manager. Prior to moving to the UAE, McAlpine was located at Edelman’s Melbourne office.

LONDON—MSLGroup London has appointed Will McIntyre as director of its technology practice, which includes clients such as PFU Fujitsu, Alcatel Onetouch and Atos. McIntyre spent the last year working in-house with TJX Europe, establishing a pan-European social media structure and strategy. He has worked with technology clients including Sony Mobile, PayPal, Intel, Microsoft and Motorola.

MILAN—Italian men’s fashion brand Brioni has hired Paola Milani as global communications director, responsible for corporate and digital communications, advertising and public relations, reporting directly to chief executive officer Francesco Pesci. Milani started her career at Ketchum, spent eight years with Gucci, and was most recently corporate brand director at Kering in Paris.

LONDON—To support its UK launch, mobile advertising company Widespace has appointed Lewis PR to implement its communications strategy. The campaign will see Lewis targeting UK publishers, advertisers and multinational brands. The campaign, entitled “Call for Change,” will aim to elevate Widespace above the competition and bring to life the company's premium offering, which includes innovative mobile advertising technologies and support services.

LONDON—Journalist and blogger Donna White has joined Beattie Communications Group. She will be working for Beattie Communications and the group’s specialist Only marketing boutiques including Only Web, Only Travel and Only Property. White was chief writer on The Sunday Mail for five years. She is also founder and author of parenting blog www.mummycentral.com.

DUBAI—Grayling has named Julio Romo as head of digital for its Middle East and Turkey operations. He was previously an independent public relations and social media consultant, based in the UK, and has represented clients including the Diamond Trading Company, the Organisation for Security & Cooperation in Europe, the King Abdullah University of Science & Technology, and Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority.

LONDON—Hill+Knowlton Strategies has been selected to represent contemporary fashion platform Not Just a Label. H+K has been briefed to further develop NJAL’s profile and brand positioning, as well as supporting its various fashion collaboration announcements. The work will coincide with the launch of NJAL’s new website and will be managed by H+K’s retail and leisure team.

PORT ELIZABETH—Gishma Johnson has been appointed corporate communications manager at General Motors South Africa. Johnson was previously corporate communications manager at Continental Tyre SA. In her new role, she will focus on corporate social responsibility, public relations and internal communications.

LONDON—We Are Social has appointed Cath Hoey and Florence Ospici as group account directors. Hoey joins from digital content agency Story Worldwide, where she was a group account director working on Westfield, Reckitt Benckiser and Brown-Forman. Ospici joins from AnalogFolk, where she was a client partner, responsible for leading the digital vision for Heineken's Desperados beer brand across 21 international markets.

NAIROBI—Kenyan telecommunications giant Safaricom has appointed Elizabeth Yoga-Odhiambo as its head of public relations and corporate communications. She joins Safaricom from the ICEA Lion Group where she served as the group communication and corporate affairs manager.