 Jean-Michel Arnaud |
MSL has acquired Paris-based Domaines Publics, a public affairs consulting firm specializing in industry groups and services, unions and professional federations. The 20-employee firm will become part of Publicis Consultants, the name for MSL’s operation in France. Domaines Publics co-founders Jean-Michel Arnaud and Steven Zunz will remain with the company as vice presidents, reporting to Clément Léonarduzzi, Publicis Consultants executive chairman. “Joining Publicis Consultants at a time when the agency has found a strong place in the market is particularly motivating. This is a great opportunity to develop our business in public affairs in a broader context,” said Arnaud and Zunz.
 Mark McNeely |
McNeely Brockman Public Relations, a new boutique communications firm, has officially opened its doors in Nashville. Formed by Mark McNeely, founder and former partner of MP&F Strategic Communications and his daughter Kelly Brockman, MBPR will focus on media relations, media training, crisis communications, strategic planning and special projects. McNeely will still work on several MP&F clients, as well as assembling a separate team and clients for MBPR. Brockman has most recently served as press secretary of Transit for Nashville and public information officer for Metro Public Works. “I grew up watching my father grow his business into a very successful company. This was something I always dreamed about being able to do together, and now the time is here,” Brockman said.
 Catriona Harris |
Uproar PR has opened a new office in Chicago that the firm says will allow them to increase their presence in the Windy City market by about 300 percent. “It was vital to grow our presence in Chicago,” said Uproar CEO Catriona Harris. Located in River North, a hub for creative and design professionals, the new office will have space to host events, including media panels, client meet-and-greets and career development sessions in partnership with local public relations associations. “The Chicago office has seen an influx of new clients across the board, ranging from B2B and consumer technology to lifestyle brands, and this new office gives us the room we need to grow our staff and accommodate the demand for our services,” said Christine Curtin, Director, Chicago at Uproar PR.
 Tom Valdiserri |
KemperLesnik has launched an esports division. The new division will produce esports events, connect would-be sponsors with esports assets, consult with esports game developers and lead brand activation for esports sponsors. The agency will also lead messaging and positioning strategy, drive mainstream media coverage, execute social media campaigns, lead media event operations and produce integrated content marketing programs in esports. KemperLesnik has already provided media relations, on-site media operations support and player media training for esports tournament organizer Riot Games on its 2018 League of Legends College Championship. “We look forward to harnessing the power of esports to connect brands with fans, shift perceptions and make emotional connections via content marketing,” said KemperLesnik executive vice president, co-managing director Tom Valdiserri.
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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