 Rosy McGillan |
Porter Novelli has launched its global Purpose Practice, which will specialize in purpose-driven brand strategy, corporate social responsibility, social marketing, social impact and brand communications. The practice will be led by executive VP and partner Rosy McGillan, who has been with PN for 12 years. Prior to joining PN, McGillan led health education and advocacy accounts for MSLPR. Also on the senior leadership team will be executive VPs Alison DaSilva and Ravi Sunnak. DaSilva, a 20-year Cone vet, will lead CSR and brand communications work under the new practice and will continue to spearhead the group’s global CSR consumer research and trend tracking. Sunnak joined PN in November from Havas PR, where he led the corporate and cause practice. He will lead the Purpose Practice’s work around the Sustainable Development Goals and social impact. As part of the launch, PN has announced a suite of new “Purpose Accelerator” products focusing on social justice positioning, c-suite visibility, the SDGs, and measurement. The launch follows Porter Novelli’s merger with CSR firm Cone in February 2017.
 Andras Nagy |
Worldcom Public Relations Group has added two new partners—Keating & Associates in Dublin, Ireland and Providence Consulting, Inc. in Bakersfield, CA. Founded in 1992, Keating & Associates is a full-service public affairs and PR service with experience working on large-scale foreign direct investment and infrastructure projects. A certified woman-owned marketing and communications firm, Providence Consulting also develops strategic communications plans that guide projects through governmental approvals. “We’ve long sought a strong partner in Ireland, and Keating makes it worth the wait,” said Andras Nagy, Probako Communication’s managing director and EMEA board chair for Worldcom. Sean Rossall, CEO of Dick Jones Communications and Americas Region board president, said that “Providence bolsters our strong public affairs practice as well as our West Coast presence.”
 Ann Barlow |
Peppercomm’s west coast president, Ann Barlow, has been elected 2018-2019 board chair of Watermark, the Bay Area’s largest organization dedicated to increasing the number of women in leadership positions. Barlow, who been a board member of the organization since 2014, succeeds Lynne Born, CEO of New York-based accounting firm Perelson Weiner, who will remain as co-chair. Watermark, which has been promoting women’s advancement in business for 25 years, hosts webinars, training sessions, networking events and conferences. On Feb. 23, the nonprofit will host its annual Conference for Women at the San Jose Convention Center. “The demand for Watermark’s services has never been higher given the focus on issues of equity and the balance of power,” said Barlow. “The organization’s team and board are actively developing plans for expansion so we can make meaningful progress on a complex, intractable problem.”
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.
