 Neil Foote |
CommunicationsMatch, a search and engagement platform for PR and communications agencies and freelancers, is partnering with the National Black Public Relations Society to help foster diversity in the industry. The platform will add NBPRS members to the more than 5,000 agencies and professional profiles that are in its matching search engine. It has also created a member organization and designation category that lets companies refine agency searches by membership in NBPRS or other industry organizations. “The PR and Communications industry have a long way to go when it comes to diversity, both in terms of professionals and agency,” said NBPRS president Neil Foote. “We need platforms like CommunicationsMatch that support diversity and increase the exposure of our member firms and professionals when companies are searching for communications firms.
 Tina Cassidy |
InkHouse has formed a new practice area devoted to organizations that want to benefit society. Called GoodInk, the practice area, to be led by InkHouse executive VP and chief content officer Tina Cassidy, will expand the agency’s presence in the field of corporate social responsibility. The agency sees GoodInk as a to way to employ CSR to meet the need organizations have to drive their business decisions, cultures and community involvement from their principles and purpose. “At a time when trust in many institutions may be eroding, we want to encourage more corporations, nonprofits and other organizations to tie their mission to a purpose and create a platform for their authentic voice,” Cassidy said. “Within our own business, InkHouse wants to positively affect three things through this work: our community, our employees and our culture.”
 Andy Rosenberg |
Thorn Run Partners has launched TRP Engage, a proprietary platform of customized communications tools designed to assist clients with their government relations objectives. The range of tools offered as part of the platform includes such services as developing grassroots and “grass-tops” engagement campaigns and producing customized newsletters for membership organizations. TRP Engage also builds coalition and issue-based campaign websites and social media accounts. “TRP Engage is the product of a decade’s worth of listening to clients and developing a mix of communications capabilities that empower them to succeed at government relations,” said TRP co-founding partner Andy Rosenberg. “We help solve organizations’ strategic communications needs in a variety of ways, either serving as a standalone public relations firm or as an enhancement to our advocacy or policy work.
 Lea-Ann Germinder |
Germinder + Associates, which specializes in the pet and veterinary sectors, has rolled the “Power of Pink: A Personal Story” initiative, an effort with a focus on women’s storytelling. In addition, the firm has unveiled a new pink logo, designed to both embrace the company’s heritage as a woman-owned business and honor victims and survivors of breast cancer. The initiative and new logo are part of Germinder’s 20th anniversary celebration, which will kick off at its Goodnewsforpets booth at the Veterinary Meeting & Expo in Orlando, FL, from Feb. 3-7. “Celebrating our 20th anniversary year at a time of renewed discussion of women’s issues is incredible timing,” said Lea-Ann Germinder, G+A president.
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.
