Obama picks Jen Psaki to head White House Communications

Washington: US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki will become President Barack Obama`s new communications director, the White House said.

Psaki, who was part of Obama`s campaign team in 2007, when she was traveling press secretary during Obama`s first presidential campaign, would replace Jennifer Palmieri, who is leaving the White House to join Hillary Clinton`s most likely presidential campaign.

In a statement, Obama praised Psaki as a "brilliant and effective communications director and trusted adviser."

Psaki would start her new job from April 1.