 Ishviene Arora |
Vested has acquired Templars Communications, a London-based strategic financial communications agency. Templars’ staff, client base, and relationships will serve as the starting point of Vested’s expansion into the European market. Kitty Parry, CEO and founder of Templars, will join Vested UK as a senior advisor, providing executive-level counsel. “We’ve been looking for the right opportunity to establish an office in London, and acquiring Templars was a natural next step,” said Vested co-founder and COO Ishviene Arora. “Our two firms are passionate about the financial industry and share a zealous commitment to delivering value to clients.” Since its inception in 2015, Vested has formed an investment fund, appointed Milton Ezrati as its chief economist, led the formation of a global network of fintech PR agencies, and ventured into broadcasting news.
 Blaine Bull |
Vianovo, an Austin, TX-based strategic advisory firm that specializes in high-stakes brand, policy and crisis issues, has formed a Philanthropy & Causes consulting practice. The new practice offers custom management tools and services in several areas, including research, identity strategy and communications content, as well as advocacy and outreach. It formalizes and builds upon the firm’s work with such organizations as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Walton Family Foundation and The One Campaign. “This new practice embodies the forward thinking and innovative approaches Vianovo clients have come to expect from us,” said Vianovo managing partner Blaine Bull.
 Mike Nazzaro |
Claritas, a provider of consumer segmentation analysis, has acquired multicultural business intelligence firm Geoscape International. Geoscape offers online software and insights that give marketers access to such high-growth consumer groups as Hispanics, Asians, African-Americans, Millennials and the LGBT community. “Hispanic, Asian and African-American audiences represent 95 percent of the growth in population and consumer spending,” said Claritas CEO Mike Nazzaro. “The acquisition of Geoscape will deepen Claritas’ consumer insights to help clients gain wider access to multicultural consumer groups.” Formerly a division of Nielsen, Claritas is now owned by global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group, in partnership with the Indian Hill Group.
DJE Holdings, parent of Edelman and Zeno, launches RUTH as an independent shop named after Ruth Edelman, mental health advocate, wife and longtime business partner of Dan Edelman.
New York City PR firms make up the largest slice of O'Dwyer's 147 firm overall ranking with 33 of 40 in the New York/New Jersey area either calling Manhattan their home or having a presence there.
Subject Matter+Kivvit, which joined forces in May, has rebranded as Avoq, an integrated shop with more than 200 professionals in Washington, New York, Asbury Park (NJ), Miami and Chicago.
While PR pros stationed at in-house comms. teams and those working for agencies share many of the same objectives, they also have markedly different top priorities, according to a recent report.
Edelman is cutting 240 employees or about four percent of its workforce to cope with the cooling down of the PR sector, according to a memo from CEO Richard Edelman.
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