We Communications appoints new COO and non-executive director

WE Communications has hired finance and operations leader Philip Channon in the new role of international chief operating officer, and appointed industry veteran Michael Murphy as non-executive director international.Channon has more than 30 years of experience in finance and operations management across a range of businesses and industries, holding previous positions at Export Now and Edelman, among others. He will be tasked to ensure WE’s client-service supporting operations and infrastructure align with clients' future-facing needs, and will report to global CFO Corey Kalbfleisch for financial and operational issues and to Alan VanderMolen, president, international and WE+, for business strategy.Murphy began a consultant role with WE in 2014. Prior to that, he was a business leader and communications specialist with 35 years of international communications experience and extensive knowledge in helping companies articulate vision and engage stakeholders. Murphy will be tasked with helping amplify WE's presence in EMEA and APAC with his history as a PR entrepreneur in both regions, leader of a regional network, and global CEO of a midsize agency. He will report to VanderMolen."Like our clients and their stakeholders and their markets, WE is in motion," said VanderMolen. "Michael and Phil provide us with accelerants to deepen our core sector capabilities across geographies while at the same time making sure our operations are run for maximum client benefit.""I came to WE because I see enormous opportunity. This agency is in an exciting period of transformational growth," said Channon. "I look forward to using that momentum to help drive WE’s global long-range strategic planning and operational excellence.""My increased engagement with WE is testament to the success we’ve had working together," said Murphy. "WE is primed for the next phase of growth, and I am eager to see it achieve its potential."The appointments of Murphy and Channon followed Alan VanderMolen's hire, WE's senior leadership additions in China as well as the majority stake acquisition of Australian-based firm Buchan earlier this year.