Pax8

Ruder Finn wins competitive pitch for cloud commerce marketplace Pax8. The agency will work with the company to develop and execute a North America communications program, driving brand and market category awareness beyond the IT channel, as the company accelerates its business growth. The scope of work will include PR strategy, media relations and executive thought leadership. Pax8 helps more than 30,000 partners buy, sell and manage cloud solutions with their “born-in-the-cloud” marketplace. “Ruder Finn demonstrated they understood our audiences and had the data-driven, creative capabilities, as well as the media chops, we were looking for in a PR agency partner,” said Pax8 senior director of external communications John Trent.

LHG

Lou Hammond Group celebrates 40th anniversary by adding 12 clients to its roster in such market sectors as destinations, financial services, and health and wellness. With the additions, LHG now works with more than 50 clients. Destination marketing organizations the agency has brought on include See Monterey, Visit Baton Rouge, Cobb Travel and Tourism, Experience Columbus and Explore Boone. In addition, LHG is representing the Marriott Palmetto Resort and Spa, which is opening this April as part of the $48 million expansion of the Bradenton Area Convention Center, FL; Lakeland Capital, a private investment firm specializing in multifamily investment in New England, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern U.S. with more than $150 million in transactions; and ZOA Energy, an energy drink developed by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Optimum

Publicis Groupe creates O1, a dedicated team including Saatchi & Saatchi, Connect at Publicis Media, MSL and PXP, to serve as creative, media, PR and production agency of record for Optimum, a brand of broadband communications and video services provider Altice USA. Saatchi & Saatchi will lead brand strategy and creative development; Connect at Publicis Media will support national, regional and local media planning and buying; MSL will guide external media relations and brand reputation building; and PXP will lead performance-driven production. O1 will work with Optimum’s internal teams to leverage its capabilities in brand building, creative commerce, data-driven communications, influencer marketing, public relations and more across Optimum’s 21-state footprint. “With a new partner in O1, we are set to showcase the progress we are making and ensure it is resonating with our customers,” said Optimum chief marketing officer. Jennifer Garrett.