Enero Group has today announced the appointment of Heather Kernahan as global chief executive officer of Hotwire, the Group’s leading global technology communications consultancy. The appointment will see Kernahan report to Brent Scrimshaw, Enero Group CEO, effective 1 July 2021.
Barbara Bates, who has successfully led Hotwire for the past five years, will move into a newly created senior advisory role at Enero. Bates will help facilitate Enero Group’s M&A activities in North America and will continue to report to Brent Scrimshaw.
L-R in photo: Brent Scrimshaw, Heather Kernahan and Barbara Bates
Scrimshaw said: “I would like to thank Barbara for her leadership and drive in Hotwire being the successful, global technology communications consultancy that it is today. She has been an innovative, respected and transformational leader across nearly three decades in the global communications industry. I am delighted she will remain in the Group.”
“This change provides an excellent opportunity for Heather Kernahan to lead the next phase of growth for Hotwire. Heather has demonstrated incredible leadership in tackling the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly-growing business in Hotwire USA. Heather has the skills, experience and appetite for growth and her appointment demonstrates the deep bench strength of the Hotwire leadership team. I am confident she will continue to drive the business’ momentum and push Hotwire to even greater heights,” Scrimshaw added.
Commenting on her appointment, Heather Kernahan added: “There is no more exciting industry to be in than technology and I’m thrilled to lead the Hotwire team as we continue to grow. We have ambitious plans to bring more value to our fast growth and global tech clients, who are looking for an alternative to the big multinational agencies. Barbara has led a culture, team and business that is sought after by the largest tech companies in the world and I’m honoured to now lead this organisation. With 20 years behind us, we feel that we’re just getting started.”
Bates said: “I’ve had the privilege to work with so many amazing people during my time at Hotwire, and I’m exceptionally proud of what we’ve managed to create together. Hotwire is already one of the world’s most highly-regarded tech communications businesses and with Heather’s leadership, it has never been better positioned to grow further. I’m excited to stay connected to the Enero Group and I look forward to continue building on the Group’s strong momentum and ambition.”
Heather Kernahan joined Hotwire from Eastwick Communications, as president of Hotwire North America and Australia, after its acquisition in 2016 by Enero Group. In 2019, she was named Hotwire CEO of North America. Under her leadership the agency has experienced record growth. With over 20 years of industry experience, Kernahan has held senior marketing and executive leadership roles at fast growth and global technology organisations including Autodesk, Enphase Energy and Alias. Under her leadership, Hotwire has developed partnerships with technology companies including: Adobe, Facebook, McAfee, Commvault, NetApp and Pinterest. As a global tech expert and business leader she has been named one of 2020 SF Business Times’ 100 Most Influential Women and is the Board Chair of The PR Council. Kernahan holds an MBA in Sustainable Enterprise from Dominican University of California.
This announcement comes as Hotwire continues to expand the team while delivering outstanding business results and following the successful acquisition of McDonald Butler Associates in London last month. In the past year, Hotwire has continued its 20 years of industry leadership, being named 2020 Global Technology Agency of the Year by PRovoke Media, Best Places to Work in PR by PRWeekfor two years in a row and recently recognised as one of the Best Companies to Work for in the UK by the Sunday Times. Current clients include Accenture, Adobe, AWS, Citrix, Dell Technologies, Deloitte, Delphix, DXC Technology, eBay, GoPro, Honeywell, IBM, McAfee, Pegasystems and PWC.
