NEW YORK—MWW Public Relations has promoted JP Schuerman to president of its Western region. Schuerman has been instrumental in expanding the firm’s presence in San Francisco and Los Angeles, growing the staff in the region, and strengthening MWWPR’s consumer, technology, travel, and LGBT practices through significant new client wins. In his new role, he will oversee the Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Dallas offices, as well as MWWPR’s national LGBT, travel, and West Coast technology practice groups.

WASHINGTON, DC—Hill+Knowlton Strategies has added Soren Dayton to the agency’s Washington, DC, office as a senior vice president. Most recently Dayton worked at Prism Public Affairs, which subsequently merged with Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications, where he specialized in digital, coalitions and campaigns. Prior to joining Prism, Dayton was a senior strategist at New Media Strategies, and worked as a legislative staffer for Rep. Nick Smith (R-Mich.) and on John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign.

LOS ANGELES—John Reilly has been elevated to senior vice president entertainment and multicultural communications at Rogers & Cowan. The promotion expands Reilly’s role overseeing publicity, marketing and branding initiatives for a roster of Latin music, entertainment and special event clients.

PARSIPPANY, NJ—The Coyne healthcare practice has hired Chris Vancheri as a vice president to oversee the firm's pharmaceutical and device business, including multiple brand assignments with Shionogi and BD. Prior to Coyne, Vancheri worked for a number of leading global pharmaceutical companies including Pharmacia, Pfizer, sanofi-aventis, Roche/Genentech and Novartis Vaccines, while also spending time on the agency side of the business with Zeno Group and MCS among others.

SANTA MONICA—Ed Chambliss has been named president of Phelps, an independently owned marketing agency. Chambliss joined Phelps 16 years ago as a team leader, managing key accounts including Petco, DirecTV and Public Storage, and served as COO for the past four years.

NEW YORK—LifeSci Advisors, an investor relations and corporate communications firm focused on the life sciences sector, has appointed Bob Yedid as managing director. Yedid joins LifeSci from ICR, where he provided medtech, diagnostics and specialty pharmaceutical companies ongoing investor relations advice as well as advisory services related to public and private securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions, and C-suite executive transitions.

NEW YORK—  Julie Martin has been named vice president of public relations at The Halo Group, a marketing and branding communications agency. In her new role, Martin will develop PR campaigns for Halo and its clients. Prior to joining The Halo Group, Martin managed public relations for Gensler’s New York office, an international architecture, design, planning and consulting firm.