Baltimore news from Purple Dot PR, Abel Communications, idfive, Humble & Wallop, MPT and Downtown Partnership

Brain Balance Achievement Centers, a national program offering an integrative approach to strengthening brain connectivity to improve focus and attention, ADHD symptoms, cognitive skills, mental well-being and academic performance, has selected the PR team of Carmel Gambacorta and Dorothy Fuchs-Yeager of Purple Dot PR for communications to promote the program. Local owners Beth Snow and Chris D’Avanzo, along with their team of professional experts in main photo, will open the first new Center in Howard County in April.

Rosina Ferrante joins Abel Communications as senior account executive. Ferrante previously worked with Gregory FCA in Philadelphia and San Diego based BAM.

Chris Benzon has founded ADD Marketing in Savannah, Georgia. He previously worked with Baltimore-based Victory 360 as Vice President, Client Services, and at C-360 Agency.

Matt McDermott has returned to Baltimore agency idfive as VP of Growth & Innovation, along with Rick Bowman, who joins as Senior Art Director. They were previously with Harvey, later renamed Humble & Wallop. McDermott told the Baltimore Business Journal that Humble & Wallop closed in December. The closure ends 40-years for the company originally founded by Kathy Harvey. The re-invented Humble & Wallop had no employees other than McDermott but did have around five full-time contractors, according to the BBJ which reported McDermott “hated” to close the agency, but “the 70-hour work weeks were taking a toll and he wanted to prioritize work-life balance, including spending time with his family.”

Maryland Public Television announced that Harry Vaughn has been promoted to Vice President of the new Production & Facility Services division. A 40-year veteran of MPT, Vaughn will lead the network’s production studios, editing suites, and facility operations. This promotion comes as part of a restructuring following the retirement of Senior Vice President George Beneman. Vaughn’s career includes roles as managing director and senior managing director of Production Services, and he was inducted into the Silver Circle in 2021.

Erika Murray has joined Downtown Partnership of Baltimore as the new Vice President of Marketing and Communications.

Main photo via Carmel Gambacorta and Purple Dot PR of the Brain Balance of Greater Baltimore team: left to right, Sarah Weitzel, Becca Woodland, Chris D’avanzo, Beth Snow, and Phoebe Clark.