Accounts in Transit

Weber Shandwick is repping Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, which is gearing up for a July 25 grand opening. The largest Warner Bros. branded indoor theme park, the 1.65 million-square-foot facility is located on Yas Island, which is also home to Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld. The new park will feature characters from both DC Comics (Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman) and Warner Bros. Animation (Tom and Jerry, Scooby-Doo, Bugs Bunny and the Flintstones). In addition to rides and “truly immersive environments,” the park will also offer a wide range of restaurants, shops and live entertainment.

Finn Partners has been named global public relations and social media agency of record for Backpack Health, a mobile and cloud-based app that helps people better manage and access personal health information. The app, which is available for iPhone, Android and desktop devices, provides patients with secure access to their medical information and documents from one central location. The agency will support Backpack Health with a global team co-led by Michael Henley, partner, New York, and Goel Jasper, managing partner, Jerusalem. Gil Bashe, managing partner, Finn Partners Global Health, will serve as strategic advisor to both the Finn team and Backpack Health leaders.

5W Public Relations has been named PR agency of record for AI influencer technology and social intelligence firm Influential. Backed by IBM Watson, Influential helps clients to connect and leverage relationships with the best social media influencers for their brands. 5W is working to position Influential as a major player in the digital marketing space. Thus far, the firm has placed Influential founder and CEO Ryan Detert in features in CNN, Wired, CNBC, Adweek and Forbes. 5W is also leveraging Influential’s tent-pole announcements and marquee partnerships as strategic media opportunities.

Hemsworth Communications has been hired as agency of record for John Offerdahl’s Gridiron Grill-Off Food, Wine & Music Festival. Hemsworth will manage the event’s media relations strategy, execute local and national media relations campaigns, develop creative tactical promotions and handle on-site media during the event itself. The annual event, which starts on Nov. 9 this year, pairs chefs from South Florida restaurants with former NFL stars in a grilling competition. Offerdahl played for the Miami Dolphins from 1986 to 1993. Performers that will appear at the festival include Vince Gill, Barenaked Ladies, Sister Hazel and Daughtry.

Trevelino/Keller has been enlisted by integrated automotive media brand Caffeine and Octane to help enhance the brand and its assets, as well as drive awareness from potential partners and sponsors. In addition to its show on the NBC Sports Network, which features custom, classic and exotic vehicles and the owners who drive them, Caffeine and Octane reach millions of auto enthusiasts annually through its events and digital programming. “We selected Trevelino/Keller based on its one-stop-shop capability to assist us with all of our PR, creative and digital needs,” said Caffeine and Octane CEO Bruce Piefke.

JMPR Public Relations, which specializes in transportation, lifestyle, travel and consumer products, has been named agency of record for Concorso Italiano, Gunther Werks, Hubject and CarBlip. JMPR is charged with maintaining coverage for the Concorso Italiano, a luxury and exotic Italian car show, across major media outlets, handling social media strategy, and helping with media credentialing and select sponsor relations. For Gunther Werks, JMPR will continue to promote the automotive company’s 400R, a modern interpretation of Porche’s classic 911, as well as take on public relations activities for new projects. The agency will work with the internal team at Hubject, which offers a platform to let electronic vehicle drivers find, access and pay for charging stations, on a communication strategy to introduce the service in the U.S. JMPR will also be responsible for planning and executing the official launch and awareness campaign for CarBlip, a car buying and negotiation platform.