 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.
4media group completes its acquisition of Family Features Editorial Syndicate... Illumination PR, which represents lifestyle brands, influencers and celebrities, launches DR Media Group... EAG Advertising and Marketing acquires pay-for-performance firm INK inc. Public Relations. 
LLYC launches Signs of Pride, a campaign that revives the original protest banners of the first Pride marches... The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry forms the Public Relations and Digital Marketing Working Group... Circle of One Marketing, a Miami-based, minority-owned marketing agency, is named official agency of record for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami. 
Vogel Group, a DC-headquartered government affairs and consulting firm, forms a strategic partnership with Montreal-based public affairs firm Boléro Stratégies... Matter Communications launches project-based offerings for B2C companies looking to increase brand awareness and visibility... Tucker/Hall, a Tampa-based PR and public affairs firm, opens a new office in Orlando. 
Why investing in public relations is ultimately about building bridges in a connected world.
Edelman is laying off 330 people (5.3 percent of its workforce) to cope with an anticipated eight percent shortfall in 2024 US revenues, and client demand for one-stop shopping for speciality services.
