Gallagher 2026 Employee Communications Report

Public Relations News & PR Firms Coverage

Latest PR firm news, commentary & professional development.

Last Updated: Thu., Apr. 16, 2026 @ 1:46 pm

PR Firm News: Highwire Launches AcroAI

Thu., Apr. 16, 2026

By Steve Barnes

AcroAIHighwire launches AcroAI, an agentic AI platform... FGS Global introduces a new brand identity... Coyne Public Relations puts an inclusive spin on Take Your Child to Word Day with its new “Take Your VIP to Work Day”... Marino SVP Jordan Isenstadt is elected to the board of directors of the National Cannabis Industry Association.

How AI Is Influencing TV News Coverage

Thu., Apr. 16, 2026

By Doug Simon

Doug SimonNewsrooms and TV producers are increasingly incorporating AI into their work. Unfortunately, most brands haven’t caught up.

O'Dwyer's Top PR Firms for 2026

PR Firms on the Rise for 2026

By Steve Barnes

Leading gainers in O'Dwyer's PR Firm Rankings (Clockwise): Lou Hoffman, Joe Anthony, Curtis Sparrer, Jean Serra, Samara Morman, Chris Rosica, Ryan Cohn & Stephanie Graves

Clockwise: Lou Hoffman, Joe Anthony, Curtis Sparrer, Jean Serra, Samara Morman, Chris Rosica, Ryan Cohn & Stephanie Graves

Last year was a good one for the majority of those taking part in O'Dwyer's ranking of top PR firms for 2026 with 43 out of 140 showing double-digit gains, ranging from 10.1 percent to 66.7 percent. Another 49 showed single-digit gains, six were flat and 41 posted losses.

Media Maneuvers: Nonprofit Group Buys Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Thu., Apr. 16, 2026

By Steve Barnes

PittsburgnThe Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is being bought by the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, a nonprofit that is the parent organization of the Baltimore Banner... The British Broadcasting Corporation is axing approximately 2,000 jobs, about 10 percent of its work force... Snap, the company behind Snapchat, is also succumbing to layoff fever, announcing plans to lay off 16 percent of its employees, about 1,000 people.

The Gambling Industry Is Spending $3.9B the Wrong Way

Thu., Apr. 16, 2026

By Ronn Torossian

Ronn TorossianThe U.S. sports betting and online gaming industries spent $3.9B on marketing in 2025. Two point three percent of that went to earned media and PR. Here's where the rest went—and what it did and didn't build.

Accounts in Transit: Firecracker PR Signs Up Liner AI

Thu., Apr. 16, 2026

By Steve Barnes

LinerFirecracker PR is selected as official agency of record for Liner AI, an evidence-first AI research platform... Spoken Voice PR is engaged to lead public relations and communications strategy for San Francisco-based technology company nubrain... Sparq Designs is named official preferred marketing partner for Content Recovery Specialists, a contents restoration franchise... Moxie Communications Group is named agency of record for Gimme Seaweed, which makes organic, roasted seaweed snacks.

Tourism Jasper Offers Event Production Pact

Wed., Apr. 15, 2026

By Kevin McCauley

JasperTourism Jasper is looking for a firm to handle its annual Jasper in January festival, which is vital in supporting winter visitation to the town located on the northern edge of the Canadian Rockies.

Commentary

AI Is the Best Friend of Shareholder Activists

Wed., Apr. 15, 2026

By Kevin McCauley

KekstCNC white paper on AI as the new proxy advisorAI is disrupting shareholder activism communications, forcing financial PR pros to reshape their narratives so they are accurately interpreted and amplified by algorithmic engines, according to a white paper by KekstCNC... Team Trump sneaks into NYC to praise gas pipeline project... What's moral about threatening to wipe out an entire civilization, JD?

On the Move: Dairy Foods Group Hires FH's McClain

Wed., Apr. 15, 2026

By Steve Barnes

Maggie McClainThe International Dairy Foods Association brings on FleishmanHillard SVP, brand impact Maggie McClain as VP, communications, effective April 20... Bryson Gillette brings on Jade Floyd as SVP. Floyd joins Bryson Gillette from Global Strategy Group, where she served as EVP... Curious Plot, a Minneapolis-based firm that focuses on food, agriculture and companion animal care clients, promotes Mitch Van Kampen to CEO, effective May 1.

Chiropractic College Issues PR RFP

Tue., Apr. 14, 2026

By Jon Gingerich

LoganLogan University, a Chesterfield, MO-based private university focused on chiropractic studies and the health sciences, is looking for an agency that can provide public relations and communication services.

Anthropic Plays Ballard Card

Tue., Apr. 14, 2026

By Kevin McCauley

AnthropicAnthropic, the artificial intelligence company banned by Defense Secretary Hegseth, has hired Ballard Partners for DC representation.

X Has a Free Speech Problem—and I'm Living It

Tue., Apr. 14, 2026

By Paul Oestreicher

Paul OestreicherX recently suspended my account for “violating our rules against inauthentic behaviors.” That was the entirety of the explanation. X cited no specific post, identified no pattern of misconduct and offered no definition of what, precisely, it considered inauthentic about my activity.