NEW YORK—Weber Shandwick has hired Drew O'Brien as executive vice president of global partnerships in its global corporate practice. O'Brien was formerly the special representative for global partnerships in the US Secretary of State's Office of Global Partnerships and a senior adviser to Secretary Kerry for more than a decade. Based in Boston, he will work with public and private organizations around the world to drive corporate social responsibility initiatives.

AUSTIN, TX—Hill+Knowlton Strategies has hired Travis Considine as a vice president in its Austin public affairs operation. Considine began working in communications as a co-war room director for John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign. Since then, he has worked on statewide campaigns in California, Ohio, Texas, and on Capitol Hill. He came to Texas in 2013 to serve as Lt. Governor Dewhurst's press secretary during the 83rd legislative session and subsequent special sessions. Most recently, he was deputy press secretary in former Gov. Rick Perry's official office and press secretary on his 2016 presidential campaign. 

SAN FRANCISCO—Lewis has named Andy Murphy head of US PR. A former journalist with expertise in brand strategy and storytelling, Murphy was cofounder and principal of Boston-based agency Davies Murphy Group, acquired by Lewis in 2013. Michael Brito, who recently joined as senior VP of digital practice Lewis Pulse US, will expand his remit to become senior VP, San Francisco, leading both digital marketing and PR divisions at the US headquarters.

WASHINGTON, DC—Margie Omero has joined research consultancy Penn Schoen Berland as executive vice president, to lead the firm’s US public affairs practice, expanding its political and policy work in Washington, DC. Prior to joining, Omero was managing director of Purple Insights, the research division of Purple Strategies. Before that, she was founder and president of Momentum Analysis, a Democratic polling firm she founded in 2001. 

FORT LEE, NJ—Steinreich Communications Group has hired Sheila Long O’Mara as content manager, working primarily with the firm’s home furnishings clients. O’Mara joins Steinreich’s content and strategic development team comprised of former journalists. For the past 11 years, she launched and managed Home Furnishings Business as its editor in chief. Prior to that, she spent eight years with Furniture Today working in a number of editorial roles.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI—Lambert Edwards & Associates has added Mindy Dyk as a digital specialist and Jessica Beswick as an associate. Prior to joining LE&A, Dyk served as a marketing coordinator at Attwood Marine Corporation. Beswick worked at Fox 17, a Grand Rapids-based television station, where she helped develop and launch the Morning Mix, a women’s lifestyle morning show.