ABC News Digital is looking to strengthen its search-engine optimization and publicity with the respective hires of John Shehata and Michelle Levi.

Shehata is an SEO expert who had been with Advance Internet. He will be executive director of search and social media for ABC News Digital.

Levi joins as publicist for digital platforms. She had been media manager for Politico and worked at CBS News in DC before that.

“John brings the incredibly unique perspective that combines a detailed technical background and superb editorial insights,” says ABCNews.com executive producer Ed O’Keefe. “His groundbreaking work in search and social media has made him one of the nation’s foremost experts in a dynamic and challenging field. We are enormously proud to welcome John and Michelle to the ABC News Digital leadership team.”