D.C. Agency Updates: Linda Roth Associates, Baretz+Brunelle and Hamilton Place Strategies

D.C.-based Linda Roth Associates, Inc. (LRA) reports that Anthony Hesselius,shown above, has been named president of the 35-year-old public relations and integrated marketing agency. Vice President Avery Lewis assumes a new leadership role, as founder Linda Roth becomes CEO. A 15-year veteran of the D.C. communications and marketing industry, Hesselius joined LRA in 2008 as vice president.

Corporate communications agency Baretz+Brunelle is opening a D.C. office, and it is handing the reins to a veteran marketer, reports the Washington Business Journal.  The WBJ report says that “Nicole Rodgers Houston, a longtime director of marketing communications for D.C.-based law firm Arnold & Porter LLP, will serve has managing director of Baretz+Brunelle’s new office.

“Houston played a key role in Arnold & Porter’s 2017 merger with Kaye Scholer LLP and led many public relations campaigns for the law firm. She has also held leadership positions in the marketing departments of law firms Crowell & Moring LLP and Shaw Pittman LLP.

“New York-based Baretz+Brunelle launched in 2016 with a dozen communications professionals and has since nearly doubled its staff. The firm specializes in general corporate and crisis communications for law firms, high-profile businesses and individuals.”

Hamilton Place Strategies added Bryan DeAngelis as a managing director and Stephanie Walstrom as a director, reports O’Dwyer’s.  DeAngelis comes from Kivvit, where he most recently served as senior director. Walstrom was previously global marketing director at advocacy nonprofit ONE Campaign.