WorldCity Business Magazine

(7) WorldCity People

by WC

PUBLIC RELATIONS – Former Citi execs launch communications firm focused on Latin American and U.S. Hispanic financial services markets

Two former Citigroup executives launched CVOX Group, to provide specialized communications, market intelligence and public affairs support for financial services firms focusing on the Latin America and U.S Hispanic markets.

Raimundo Ruga served as director of government affairs and press for Citigroup Latin America while simultaneously managing the corporate affairs portfolio for the regions Global Wealth Management division. He is a former Clinton administration official who served as a Latin America policy aide to three U.S. Secretaries of Defense, managing the desks of Cuba, Argentina and Central America during his tenure. He also served as an investment insurance officer at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and as an assistant VP and senior underwriter for political risk insurance at American Insurance Group in New York.

Co-founder Mara Laura Mancuso is a former VP in the regional offices of public affairs and corporate communications of Citigroup Latin America where she managed various portfolios in 23 countries, including corporate communications. Previously, she served as head of the public affairs office for Citibank Argentinas Corporate and Consumer Bank, managing the banks external and internal communications, community relations and regulatory and governmental affairs. She also has operational experience, having served as both a recovery officer for distressed portfolios and in the credit administration unit. Her career also includes experience
as corporate lawyer in Baker & McKenzie.

MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT – MTV Networks announces VP of content for MTV and VH1 Argentina

MTV Networks Latin America appointed Fernando Gastn as vice president of content for MTV/VH1 in Argentina. The announcement is part of recently announced plans to further regionalize production and programming for MTV and VH1 Latin America into the region. Based in Buenos Aires, Gastn will report to Paula Guerra, general manager for MTV Networks Argentina and Jos Tilln, senior vice president of creative, content and music for MTV and VH1 Latin America, based in Miami Beach. As head of content for MTV and VH1 in Argentina, Gastn will oversee all production and programming for MTV and VH1 in the market, as well as develop and implement the brands local content strategy. He will also work closely with Tilln and the heads of content in Mexico and Brazil to create pan-regional product for the region, fulfilling the companys local and pan-regional programming and content strategy for both brands.
Gastn joins MTV Networks Argentina from Claxson, where he was senior vice president of Channels, overseeing programming, acquisitions, marketing, creative and original production for all of Claxsons pay TV services. Prior to Claxson, Gastn was manager of original production,
Southern Cone for the Cisneros Television Group.

TOURISM – Club Med picks VP of sales

Howard Tanenbaum was appointed vice president of sales at Coral Gablesbased Club Med North America. He will report to president and CEO Cedric Gobilliard. Tanenbaum will oversee Club Meds repositioning strategy for indirect sales and continue to promote Club Med as a premiere upscale, family all-inclusive destination to the travel agent community. He has held various Positions at Club Med since 1999. Previously, Tanenbaum owned and operated a travel agency for 12 years.

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS – Nokia appoints communications director for Latin America/Caribbean

Nokia appointed Vivian Kobeh to the position of communications director for Nokia Latin America.
Based in Miami, Kobeh will be responsible for Nokia external and internal communications activities in the Latin American and Caribbean region. Nokia currently employs more than 4,500 people in Latin America and has operations in 11 countries in the region. Prior to joining Nokia, Kobeh was a corporate communications executive with Dell, where she performed diverse roles, including head of the companys media relations in Canada and Latin America, head of global diversity and ethics communications and, most recently, responsible for the launch of the companys external blog in Spanish.

CUSTOMS & TRADE – Claudia Medelln Moreno joins Sandler & Travis Trade Advisory Services

Claudia Medelln Moreno joined Sandler & Travis Trade Advisory Services as managing director of STTAS de Mxico Servicios de Comercio Exterior. Medelln is trained as an attorney, with both a B.A. and a Masters degree in law. She has practiced in the area of international trade and customs in the Mexican public accounting environment for over 12 years. She has advised clients in numerous industries on the intricacies of free trade agreements, Mexican duty deferral programs, Customs formalities and indirect taxes that apply upon importation into Mexico. Miami-based Sandler & Travis Trade Advisory Services provides Customs and international trade consulting services to the public and private sectors. STTAS offers global import/export solutions for multinational companies and assists governments throughout the world in establishing Customs departments that expand import and export capabilities, reduce risk factors and comply with international standards.

PUBLIC RELATIONS – Wragg & Casas adds regional VP

Heather Mobley Mikes was named VP of regional operations for Wragg & Casas Public Relations. Mikes has developed marketing and communications strategies for a variety of clients throughout Southwest Florida for the past five years. She will take on the added responsibility to
expand business operations in Central and North Florida. She will concentrate on building the current regional offices in Naples/Ft. Myers and in Orlando. She also will develop statewide business. Mikes is a seven-year veteran of Wragg & Casas, beginning her tenure as an account coordinator in the Miami office. She specializes in strategic planning, counseling and producing creative concepts for clients seeking to develop and enhance their corporate image and branding. She also plans special promotions and advertising on behalf of her clients.

LAW – Akerman Senterfitt builds real estate practice

Attorneys Andrew Wamsley and Amy Moniz joined Akerman Senterfitts real estate practice group as associates in the firms Fort Lauderdale and Miami offices, respectively. Wamsley came from Dinsmore & Shohl in Cincinnati, where he was a real estate associate. His practice focuses on commercial real estate financing and leasing. His experience also includes handling general corporate matters. Wamsley earned his law degree from Georgetown University.

Moniz came from Stroock & Stroock & Lavan in Miami where she was a real estate associate. Her experience includes handling all aspects of the commercial real estate closing process, negotiating loan documents and opinion letters with borrowers counsel, reviewing organizational diligence and resolving issues related to title insurance, survey and zoning matters. She earned her law degree from the University of Miami. She earned her MBA degree and her bachelors degree from Bentley College.

HIGHER EDUCATION – Miami-Dade College president part of U.S. mission to Latin America

Miami Dade College President Eduardo Padron was part of a delegation of U.S. university leaders who traveled to Brazil and Chile in late August at the behest of U.S. Department of Education Secretary Margaret Spellings to promote the virtues of American higher education. The missions goal was to increase collaboration with universities in these two countries and to promote the U.S. as a premier educational destination. Padron, representing the only community college on the mission, was joined by the presidents of Stanford, Creighton, Nebraska, Louisiana State, Iowa State, Maryland, California and Washington Universities.