RALEIGH, N.C. (July 21, 2025) – French/West/Vaughan (FWV), one of the nation’s most highly decorated public relations, advertising and digital media agencies, has elevated five associates to its senior leadership team.
Scott Palmer
Scott Palmer has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Digital Media. A member of the FWV team since 2010, Palmer leads FWV’s paid media and digital marketing efforts across its extensive client portfolio. He has 20 years of agency and client-side experience after graduating from Elon University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Katie Johnson
Joining Palmer as a Senior Vice President is Katie Johnson. A seasoned communications professional with more than 15 years of PR and integrated marketing experience, Johnson has extensive experience in consumer PR, event planning and social media marketing. She received a bachelor’s degree in communication from North Carolina State University and joined the FWV team in 2007.
Tracy Wood
Tracy Wood has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Finance & Administration. She will continue to oversee the day-to-day functions of the agency’s Finance and HR departments. Since joining FWV in 2021, Wood has streamlined and developed a strong finance team, while also optimizing operations and contributing to strategic planning for the agency. She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Buffalo.
Peyton Burgess
Peyton Burgess and Emily Rochelle have both been named Vice Presidents. Burgess leads the development and execution of integrated marketing campaigns and media relations programs for clients in multiple verticals including travel & tourism and financial services. This includes overseeing the agency’s dedicated pet and animal health practice. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in journalism and mass communication with a concentration in public relations.
Emily Rochelle
Rochelle leads strategic communications for clients across the B2B, healthcare and technology industries. She has experience managing national and international media initiatives and executive-level communications. Rochelle earned a B.A. in public relations and business journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“These promotions position our agency well for the future,” said FWV Chairman & CEO Rick French. “We are proud to elevate these leaders who embody our values, shape our culture and deliver meaningful strategic value to our clients.”
About French/West/Vaughan
French/West/Vaughan (FWV) is one of the nation’s leading public relations, public affairs, advertising and digital media agencies. Headquartered in Raleigh, N.C. with offices in NYC, Detroit, L.A. and Tampa, FWV has received 39 Global or National Agency of the Year honors since its founding in 1997, along with more than 1,700 PR, advertising and digital marketing awards on behalf of its global roster of blue-chip clients. FWV is the parent company of fashion and lifestyle PR firm AMP3; pet and animal health practice Fetching PR; and Prix Productions, a feature and documentary film production company. FWV is a partner in IPREX, a $508 million network of communication agencies with 1,100 staff and more than 60 offices worldwide. For more information, visit fwv-us.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Vimeo or Instagram.