SILICON VALLEY—Trilliant, which delivers the benefits of the Smart Grid to utilities and their customers, has selected Edelman as its global communications agency of record. A joint Silicon Valley and Atlanta-based team drawing on the firm’s clean energy and smart grid expertise will assist Trilliant as it expands awareness and engages with its stakeholders to build business with utilities. “We were attracted to Edelman for its reputation, global capabilities and expertise,” says Rob Conant, chief marketing officer for Trilliant. “It was critical that we appoint an agency with a deep understanding of the industry, broad-based experience and global capabilities that could work in unison with the core team.”

NEW YORK—CooperKatz & Company has added three new clients: the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, a non-profit organization working to support the advancement of drugs to prevent, treat, and cure Alzheimer’s disease; the Digital Advertising Alliance, a self-regulatory body that develops industry best practices in online behavioral advertising; and Kroll Bond Rating Agency, a statistical rating organization established in 2010 to restore trust in credit ratings. In addition, CooperKatz has expanded its relationship with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America to support the company’s group employee benefits offerings in relation to the upcoming open enrollment period.

LOS ANGELES—Disney Channel performer Brandon Mychal Smith has selected Raleigh-based French/West/Vaughan as his marketing and public relations agency of record. Best known for his roles on the channel’s Sonny with a Chance, Phil of the Future, and most recently, as a lead in So Random, he joins the firm’s sports marketing and entertainment practice.

NEW YORK—California’s Halter Ranch Vineyard and Vineyard & Winery Management Group have selected Deussen Global Communications to oversee their strategic marketing and PR campaigns in the US, effective immediately. Deussen will initiate and implement programs encompassing media outreach, events marketing, corporate partnerships, social media initiatives, trade education, and consumer sampling.

CHICAGO—Henson Consulting has added six new clients, including Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, celebrity couple Bill and Giuliana Rancic’s new Italian restaurant project with Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Walter E. Smithe furniture stores, Sproing Fitness and the Lovie & MaryAnne Smith Foundation. Each of HC’s new accounts will leverage services including brand positioning, cause-related marketing, social media, media relations and event management.

NEW YORK—LVM Group has been retained to handle the public relations for Real-Time Computer Services, an IT firm.

LOS ANGELES—JS2 Communications has added Golden Road Brewing to its food and beverage portfolio, alongside other craft brewing clients including Tony’s Darts Away, Mohawk Bend—like Golden Road owned by beer expert Tony Yanow—and City Tavern in Culver City.

MIAMI—Newlink America has been selected as public relations and social media agency of record for ESPN Deportes. The firm will be managing media relations and working closely with ESPN’s digital team to provide strategic recommendations and engaging content for the various social media platforms.

NEW YORK—Actor and filmmaker Matthew Modine has named Workhouse as agency of record. The firm will develop integrated promotional campaigns and will execute a comprehensive public relations plan for personal and project publicity, charitable initiatives and special events.