Karen White to take on National’s crisis and cybersecurity communications offerings

National PR has expanded Karen White’s role to bolster the firm’s crisis and cybersecurity communications offerings.

White is now senior vice-president, crisis and issues management, previously the shop’s vice president, crisis and issues management.

White has provided executive counsel and strategic advice to a wide range of organizations as they navigate complex challenges. Specializing in strategic communications and cyber incident response planning, crisis communications, reputation and issues management, and stakeholder, government and media relations, her expanded role positions National for further growth in these highly in-demand service areas.

“[White’s] expertise is extremely sought-after in this changing digital climate, as all companies navigate the evolving threat landscape,” says Brian Pearl, managing partner of National’s Toronto office.

Harbinger names Sofia Costa as managing director

Harbinger’s leadership team is shifting once again after president Deborah Adams retired from the agency at the end of last year.

Sofia Costa will take on a new role as the agency’s managing director, adding it to her current position as senior vice president. In this role, Costa will be responsible for overseeing all client work and relationships, business development, agency culture, as well as the mentorship and development of the Harbinger team.

Costa has worked with Harbinger for more than seven years, with overall agency experience dating back more than two decades. Her client experience has covered food and beverage, beauty and personal care, pharma, financial services and more.

Jeff Weiss, Harbinger CEO and co-owner will now also assume managing partner responsibilities, working with Costa and the agency’s leadership team to manage day-to-day business operations.

Harbinger has also promoted Natasha Townsend to vice president of client service. In the role, Townsend will work with Costa to guide client teams. Townsend joined Harbinger nearly six years ago, and has helped build the agency’s influencer marketing practice, and lead client teams in the food, beauty and agri-business categories.

BBDO Canada promotes two creative directors

Guilherme Bermejo and Nick Doerr are starting new positions as VP, creative directors at BBDO Canada.

Both Bermejo and Doerr are former associate creative directors with the shop. For two years, Bermejo was an ACD with FCB Canada, a title Doerr held there as well.

The duo have worked on campaigns for FedEx, Cineplex, Whirlpool, Destination Ontario, and Go Transit. They also combined on “Winning Pieces” and OLG’s new platform “Bring Home the Win.”

Jordan Gabriel takes on CD role at Grey Canada

Grey Canada has promoted Jordan Gabriel to a creative director role. Gabriel joined Grey in October 2022, and is formerly an associate creative director with the company.

Gabriel also previously held an ACD role with Performance Art, part of the McCann Worldgroup, and was a senior copywriter with FCB/Six.