Brian O’Connor has been promoted to vice president brand and corporate communication at Santa Clarita-based Princess Cruises.

He previously served as vice president, public relations accountable for strategic external communications, media relations, social media, issues and incident response, community relations and events including new ship introductions and inaugurals.

His team grows by five adding internal communications that engage more than 30,000 employees at sea and ashore for the international premium cruise line.

O’Connor and his leadership team, which includes Negin Kamali, director of public relations and Erica Netzley, director of communications, will lead efforts to introduce five new ships to the Princess fleet starting late 2019 through 2025.

On Oct. 17, O’Connor was honored as PR Professional of the Year by the Los Angeles Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America at their 54th Annual PRism Awards. He served on the board of directors of PRSA-LA for five years (2007-2012) and served as chapter president in 2011.

Princess Cruises won five PRism Awards and three awards of excellence in a variety of categories, judged by PR professional peers from the Houston chapter of PRSA.

O’Connor currently serves on the alumni board for the College of Communications Arts and Sciences at his alma mater Michigan State University.