Porter Novelli, Inc. announced that Sally Ward, senior partner and managing director of the agency's London office, has been appointed president, Europe, Middle East and Africa. Ward will be responsible for the growth and profitability of Porter Novelli's regional operations. She will continue managing the agency's London office. Prior to joining Porter Novelli, Ward was the founder and director of Plum Consulting, an executive search, talent management and senior-level coaching and mentoring firm. Before forming Plum, Ward spent five years in various capacities with Weber Shandwick in the UK, guiding the firm's consumer practice during a period of explosive growth, managing international clients, and acting as deputy CEO in the UK. She left Weber at the end of 2006 as the firm's European vice chairman. Before her tenure at Weber Shandwick, Ward spent seven years with Porter Novelli (formerly Countrywide Porter Novelli), as a portfolio director and later as the agency's UK development director, responsible for new business, marketing and creativity. Luc Missinne, senior partner, managing director of the agency's Brussels and Paris offices, and an 18-year Porter Novelli veteran, joins this new leadership team as regional director for EMEA. He will be responsible for embedding strategic and business development plans for the agency's Global Health & Wellness; Technology; Food, Drinks & Nutrition; and Consumer practices across Europe; and for building out the Porter Novelli's Public Affairs practice in the region from its Brussels base. He also will become a member of the agency's Innovation Advisory Board. Both Ward and Missinne are members of Porter Novelli's Executive Committee.

Porter Novelli, Inc. announced that Beth Davies has joined the New York office as executive vice president, consumer practice director. She will be responsible for providing leadership and strategic guidance to practice clients in the consumer, food, drinks and nutrition industries. Before that she spent eight years in progressive roles with premium drinks leader Diageo, most recently as global vice president of corporate relations for Diageo Guinness in Dublin, Ireland.

Porter Novelli has been named agency of record (AOR) for NYCxDESIGN, New York City's inaugural citywide event to showcase and promote all facets of design. The agency has been charged with launching a 12-day long series of events as well as raising awareness for NYCxDESIGN among design professionals and the public through media relations, event sponsorships and programming.