David Grabert, after 10 years of handling public relations for Cox Communications, has been hired by Canoe Ventures as vice president of marketing communications.
Based at Canoe's New York headquarters, Grabert will officially begin the new gig Jan. 3, 2011, reporting to chief marketing officer Vicki Lins. Grabert replaces Dana Runnells, who left the company in November.
With Grabert's departure, Cox has promoted Mallard Holliday, who previously held various public relations and community relations roles, to executive director of public affairs. Cox's PR team will continue to be overseen by Necole Merritt, vice president of public affairs.
Canoe, formed by the six largest U.S. cable operators in 2008, is developing interactive TV, video-on-demand advertising and other capabilities for programmers and advertisers to reach subscribers across multiple MSOs.
Grabert's responsibilities at Canoe will include developing and overseeing integrated marketing efforts, including PR and media relations, corporate communications and product promotion. He will also lead the development of the company's PR strategy and serve as Canoe's main media contact.
"David will play a critical role at Canoe as we continue to work towards transforming traditional TV into a more robust digital platform," Lins said in a statement. "We look forward to tapping into his breadth of experience and industry insight to further our marketing communications efforts as we continue to drive collaborative innovation with our partners, customers and key stakeholders."
For his part, Grabert commented, "Canoe Ventures is central to the discussion about the future of television and interactive marketing. As someone who spent the last decade experiencing the amazing growth and innovation of the cable industry, I am excited to join a company that I believe will enjoy the same trajectory during the next decade."
Grabert will work with Michael Burgi, Canoe's vice president of communications, whose responsibilities include outreach to customers, agencies and marketers, and other industry constituents.
Prior to Cox, Grabert served as a marketing analyst at Intralox, managing business-to-business marketing efforts. Before that he was research director for United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area, leading volunteer initiatives and communications, community needs research, grant allocations and political advocacy efforts.
He holds a master's degree in business administration and bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology from Nicholls State University, in Thibodaux, La.
