Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. has tapped Wendy Smith as senior vice president of communications, effective Monday.
Smith was hired from Creative Artists Agency, where she was head of corporate communications. At the Beverly Hills-based talent and literary agency, Smith was in charge of public and media relations, as well as creative services, advertising and branding. Before CAA, she was a special assistant to President Clinton in Washington, and, prior to that, a manager of marketing and promotional opportunities for the New Yorker magazine.
At Polo, she will oversee the company’s global corporate communications efforts. This will include fashion public relations and business media, as well as press efforts on Polo’s philanthropic endeavors and employee communications. Smith reports to David Lauren, senior vice president of advertising, marketing and corporate communications.
“Her extensive experience in media and entertainment, coupled with her political expertise, makes her uniquely qualified to lead our growing, global public relations efforts,” David Lauren said in a statement.
Smith takes over some responsibilities from Nancy Murray, who, as senior vice president, will now head up investor relations and report to Roger Farah, Polo’s president and chief operating officer.