LOUISVILLE, KY — KFC has named Staci Rawls the company’s first chief communications officer. Rawls (pictured) will develop and lead KFC’s communications function in the US. She most recently served as the company’s US public affairs director.

EL SEGUNDO, CA — Mattel has named Dena Cook, a veteran communications executive and former CEO of Brew, as executive VP and global head of communications and public relations. Cook will oversee all external and internal communications for the company, with primary responsibility for managing and executing on Mattel's corporate communications strategy across global audiences. She will report to Ynon Kreiz, Mattel's chairman and CEO.

LOS ANGELES — Metro Goldwyn Mayer has hired veteran public relations executive Katie Martin Kelley as chief communications officer. Martin Kelley will work closely with executive leaders and develop and execute strategic communications programs across all company divisions including corporate, film, television, global sales and distribution and digital/social media. She joins after 12 twelve years at Paramount Pictures overseeing domestic theatrical publicity efforts for a wide range of franchise properties including Transformers, Star Trek and Mission: Impossible.

NEW YORK — NYC & Company, the city’s destination marketing organization, has promoted two senior communications leaders. Nancy Mammana, who joined the organization last year as senior VP, marketing, has been promoted to chief marketing officer. She will lead the organization’s marketing division, including global marketing strategy, digital, branding, promotions, advertising, creative services and e-commerce. Christopher Heywood, who has been senior VP, global communications, has been promoted to executive VP, global communications. In his role, he continues to lead the organization’s international and domestic PR and communications, corporate communications and crisis communications.

BOSTON — Tina Cassidy, most recently executive VP and chief content officer at InkHouse, has joined public broadcaster WGBH as chief marketing officer. Cassidy comes to WGBH with more than two decades of experience in communications, including a decade as a journalist at the Boston Globe.

TULSA, OK — BOK Financial has named Susan Hermann, senior VP, director, corporate communications, as which she will oversee the corporate communications function for the organization. Hermann brings extensive knowledge to BOK, having served 18 years with CoBiz Financial, most recently as director, corporate communications. Previously, she worked in communications and community relations for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and The Reynolds and Reynolds Company.

EL SEGUNDO, CA — Arielle Schechtman has been named head of corporate communications at TechStyle Fashion Group, parent company of global fashion brands JustFab, Shoedazzle, FabKids, Fabletics and Savage X Fenty. Schechtman is responsible for shaping and executing strategic communications plans internally and externally and driving the TechStyle story across multiple channels and platforms. She joins after three years in a PuppySpot senior comms role.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Kezar Life Sciences has appointed of Celia Economides as senior VP of strategy and external affairs. Economides will serve as a member of the management team and executive committee leading Kezar’s overall investor relations, scientific communications, patient advocacy and strategic efforts. Prior to joining Kezar, she served as VP, corporate affairs at Aurinia Pharmaceuticals.