Allison+Partners announced that David Wolf has been named managing director of the agency’s global China practice. Wolf counsels American, Chinese and European clients across a range of industries and specializes in managing complex communications challenges, including crisis comm, new market entry and corporate reorganization. He also helps clients consider elements beyond branding and messaging to rethink strategies, positioning and execution. Prior to joining Allison+Partners, Wolf spent seven years as president and chief executive officer of Wolf Group Asia (WGA), a Beijing-based strategic corporate communications advisory firm. (Release)

RF|Binder, a New York-based PR and communications firm, announced two new senior-level hires. Elyse Blazey Gentile joins the agency as senior managing director to consumer and corporate accounts and Lori Rodney joins as managing director of the agency’s education group. Both managers will be responsible for developing new business opportunities as well as counseling existing clients. Blazey Gentile has more than 15 years experience in media relations and corporate/crisis communications. Her most recent role was vice president of corporate communications at E*TRADE.

Rodney most recently served as corporate account manager at Waggener Edstrom, representing clients such as Android and Windows Phone manufacturer HTC. She has more than a decade of experience working for such top firms as Edelman, MWW Group and Cohn & Wolf. (IBTimes)

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Ogilvy Public Relations named Ogilvy PR veteran Tara May general manager of the Denver office and appointed Kabira Hatland director of client service for OgilvyEarth, expanding its local team. May began working in Ogilvy PR’s Washington, D.C., office in 1992 as part of the Public Affairs practice and recently spent five years at Feinstein Kean Healthcare, an Ogilvy subsidiary, where she directed accounts for a range of health science organizations. Hatland joined the firm in 2011 and focuses on corporate and environmental communications. Prior to her time at Ogilvy PR, Hatland was a principal at Clarus Communications, working with clients in the consumer product and hospitality sectors. (Release)

RF|Binder announced that Linda Perry-Lube has joined the agency as chief digital officer. Perry-Lube, an experienced digital strategist who previously served as the first-ever chief digital officer for the American Museum of Natural History, will lead RF|Binder’s Digital Strategy Group. In addition to her work at the American Museum of Natural history, Perry-Lube also brings experience from Microsoft, Ford Motor Company and Online2000, a business consultancy practice she founded. (Release)

Plantronics, Inc. named Genevieve Haldeman vice president of global communications. Haldeman will be responsible for driving the communications strategy worldwide, guiding executive communication and setting the strategy for public/analyst relations and social media engagement. She will work closely with Plantronics leadership on new efforts to reach business and consumer audiences. Most recently, Haldeman was vice president of global communications at Webroot, a software company that provides Internet security solutions for consumers and small and medium businesses. (Release)

Speaking of the Council of PR Firms, they’ve announced the 2012 board of directors for the organization. Weber Shandwick president Andy Polansky will serve another year as the chairman of the Council. Also re-elected are Porter Novelli’s Gary Stockman as chair-elect, Airfoil’s Janet Tyler as treasurer, and Laura Tomasetti from 360 Public Relations as secretary.

A number of CEOs and principals will also be joining them as directors: Christine Barney, rbb Public Relations; Amy Binder, RF Binder; Dave Senay, Fleishman-Hillard; Melissa Waggener Zorkin, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide; Sharon Linhart, Linhart Public Relations; Elise Mitchell, Mitchell Communications; Jennifer Prose, CJP Communications; Donna Imperato, Cohn & Wolfe; and Margery Kraus , APCO Worldwide.

Congrats to everyone!

Dick Fedorcio, the head of public affairs and internal comms for the Metropolitan Police Service, has been put on leave during an investigation of possible misconduct tied to the News of the World phone hacking scandal. The Independent Police Complaints Commission is looking into the relationship between Fedorcio and Neil Wallis, former NotW assistant editor Neil Wallis. [via The Guardian]

RF Binder has partnered with corporate responsibility expert and founder of Lilium Consulting, Susan Ellis. She is just one of the additions to the firm’s services in the corporate responsibility and environmental initiatives areas. RF Binder offers partnership development, brand alignment, and other services in this space.

Sabrina Guttman, who had joined Ruder Finn in May to lead the firm’s new tech and innovation practice, has left the firm. The firm’s VP of comms Katy Kelley told PRWeek that they will eventually look for a replacement global head.

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In this edition of Spin the Agencies, everything is digital and wireless.

Weber Shandwick has been selected as global AOR for GSMA, the international association for the mobile comms industry. GSMA’s membership spans 219 countries.

Digital entertainment company Exent has selected RF Binder as its AOR. Work will include raising awareness about the company’s managed service, which is behind Exent’s PC games and the Free Ride Games gaming site.

Global Wireless Solutions has selected Calysto Communications for PR and social media services including media, analyst, and blogger relations. The firm will also provide global outreach to Latin America, Asia, and Europe.

Media Maiden Group has been chosen as AOR for Acqueon Technologies, which produces apps for call centers and communications channels. Acqueon will be launching three new products this year.

[WPIX's Larry Hoff (center), a shirtless "FDNY guy" (left) and Harrah Resort's VP Danielle Mohn (right).]

The concept for Harrah Resort’s event this morning in downtown Manhattan is somewhat simple: trade in your work clothes for a bathing suit, get photographed, and have a chance to win a free VIP suite at Harrah’s. The event is being promoted as an “endless summer party,” since Harrah’s has a large “tropical oasis glass domed pool,” which is open year round. Ok, fine.

The team at agency RF|Binder is working hard, and they’ve had some good results so far. Managing Director Casey Corrigan tells PRNewser, “WPIX ‘PIX Morning News’ roving reporter Larry Hoff did live shots all morning to kick off the event. At the opening of the event right now, there is a line 50 people deep to do the challenge and get free rooms, including men with babies.”

Of course, a Website has been set up, where people can vote on the “best swimsuit photo.” We’re assuming that “best” is in the eye of the beholder.