LONDON—Ketchum has been selected to provide public relations support to Rome’s bid for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The firm’s work for Rome 2024 “is expected to directly involve international journalists and opinion leaders in the Olympic sphere,” according to the initial request for proposals. 

MADRID—Hill+Knowlton Strategies has named Joan Ramon Vilamitjana as its new chief executive officer in Spain, overseeing business in H+K offices for Madrid and Barcelona. Vilamitjana has been with H+K for 15 years. He joined in 2001 as lead for the Barcelona corporate and crisis division and has been general manager for Spain since 2011. Vilamitjana is replacing Eloisa Alonso, who after 27 years in the company will remain with H+K Spain as chairman.

LONDON—PPR Worldwide, part of the Young & Rubicam group and owned by WPP, has appointed David Lawrence in the newly created role of UK head. Lawrence was previously senior director at Weber Shandwick and has led campaigns for Electronic Arts, Microsoft and Sonos. Founded in Australia 46 years ago, PPR launched in the UK two years ago, and has expanded into France, Germany and most recently the Nordics, covering Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

HELSINKI—Sanoma Corporation has named Marcus Wiklund, senior vice president for Sanoma Media corporate relations, to the additional role of director of Sanoma Group communications and public affairs, reporting to CEO and president Susan Duinhoven. Wiklund will work closely together with the country communication directors, Kristel Thijssen for Belgium and the Netherlands and Hanna Johde for Finland as well as with investor relations manager Pekka Rouhiainen.

LONDON—Honcho PR has been appointed by Peli, a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance protective case solutions, to introduce its protector cases for consumer mobile devices onto the UK market. Honcho PR co-founders Charlotte Priest and Amanda Slayton-Joslin will manage the consumer media campaign.

LEEDS—Finn, a Yorkshire public relations firm, has opened in London and appointed Matt Bourn as partner and director. The new office will extend Finn's corporate, trade and consumer PR services to media brands, as well as bringing new content and platform expertise to the agency's existing clients.

PARIS—Influence marketing consultancy Matriochka Influences has been selected to provide the Maison Guerlain with strategic consulting and implementation of its international e-influence program for perfumes, makeup and skin care products.