Huw Daniel has been named acting president of Platinum Guild International-USA, the U.S. marketing arm of the worldwide platinum industry. Daniel succeeds Laurie Hudson who officially retired as PGI-USA president in November 2002.

Daniel joins PGI-USA from Saatchi & Saatchi where he was senior vice president and management director. Prior to that, he was the Diamond Marketing Group director for J. Walter Thompson in Hong Kong where he managed integrated marketing communications programs for De Beers in 11 markets across the Asia Pacific.

“We are pleased to bring Huw Daniel on board to head our U.S. business,” says James Courage, Platinum Guild International CEO. “He brings a wealth of marketing communications expertise across Europe, Asia, and North America, and is the ideal candidate to help further platinum’s incredible momentum in the American bridal and fashion jewelry markets.”

In addition to leading PGI-USA’s team of ten marketing executives and support staff based in its Newport Beach, Calif., headquarters, Daniel will spearhead the American launch of Platinum Guild International’s new global branding initiative in the summer and oversee a stepped-up marketing program for the world’s most precious metal.

JCK