CenterTable, GroundFloor Media’s sister digital agency, announced it has acquired FourthWall Productions, adding to the suite of video services the agency offers in-house. CenterTable began working with FourthWall three years ago as strategic partners, and they have jointly worked on client projects involving video production and editing, animation and motion media, and live video streaming.

The firms also announced that they have added three new team members:

• Elise Bishop as Director of Communications at GroundFloor Media. Elise was most recently a communications specialist at DanoneWave (formerly WhiteWave Foods).
• Adrienne Schafer as Director of Social Media and Digital Strategy at CenterTable. Schafer joined CenterTable from Twitter, where she was an instructional designer.
• Shelbi Warner as Director of Finance for both agencies. Prior to joining GFM, Shelbi served as controller for Novarus Capital Group.

Linhart PR has added Miranda King as digital media strategist and Samantha Harris as an account associate. King was most recently social media manager at Door to Door Organics, and Harris started at Linhart PR earlier this year as an intern. Additionally, Linhart PR also recently promoted Libby Pinkerton and Emily Rado to the position of account executive. They both were previously account associates, and both started at the firm as interns.

COHN Marketing is getting into the marijuana marketing business in a big way with the launch of a specialty division, COHNNABIS, and the addition of former deputy director of the National Cannabis Industry Association Taylor West. From COHN:

Since Colorado began legal sales of adult-use cannabis in 2014, COHN has supported the brand, digital, marketing, packaging, social media and PR needs of dispensaries, products, venture capital backed start-ups, and allied companies that sell to the industry.

In support of the agency’s dedication to the industry, COHNNABIS has hired Taylor West, former deputy director of the National Cannabis Industry Association, as senior communications director. By adding West’s cannabis industry insight and in-depth strategic communications experience to COHN’s long-established and respected expertise in integrated marketing, COHNNABIS is setting a new standard for companies serious about building a compelling, effective, and authentic brand within the industry.

Chiptole has hired former Yum! Brands executive Laurie Schalow as its first chief communications officer. Diana Bradley at PR Week reports:

Schalow will work from the company’s Denver headquarters and report to Steve Ells, founder, chairman, and CEO. Her responsibilities include overseeing all facets of the chain’s internal and external communications.

Chipotle PR director Chris Arnold will report to Schalow. He previously reported to CMO Mark Crumpacker.

Schalow has joined Chipotle from Yum! Brands, where she was VP of public affairs. In her most recent position, she was responsible for building the brand reputations of more than 44,000 KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell restaurants in 140 countries.

The hire follows a string of E.coli, norovirus, rodent outbreak and labor challenges over the past two years for the Denver-based restaurant chain. Burson-Marsteller is Chipotle’s agency of record in the U.S.

Walmart has apologized for this component of its “Back to School” campaign:

(Photo: @thisbemesara)

The Denver Press Club celebrated its 150th anniversary last night, so of course The Denver Post recognized the moment today with a front page refer for an article on the Brown Palace’s 125th anniversary.