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Blue Engine Message & Media is merging with JDA Frontline on Jan. 1 to form a bipartisan public affairs shop of 25 staffers that will help clients navigate the volatile and divisive political climate.
Blue Engine's leadership team of Erik Smith, David DiMartino and Allison Clear Fastow have strong Democratic credentials, while JDA's Trevor Francis has Republican connections.
The combined firm will re-launch next year under a new name to offer coalition development, brand management, grassroots mobilization, grasstops advocacy, reputation and digital strategy.
Smith said since the firms have worked on projects together in the past "joining forces just made sense."
Public Policy Holding Company registered 23.8 percent Q3 growth to $48.8M, with organic growth contributing 4.5 percent and the balance driven by merger & acquisition activity.
Publicis Groupe reported 3.1 percent in Q3 growth to $4B, sparked by a 3.6 percent jump North America, its biggest market.
WPP suffered a 10.2 percent drop in 1H revenues to $6.7B and a 47.8 percent plunge in operating profit to $297M.
Interpublic reported Q2 net revenues dropped 6.6 percent to $2.2B and operating income tumbled 23.4 percent to $243.7M. 
WPP has adopted a gloomier profit and sales forecast due to a deteriorating Q2 financial performance triggered by weak client spending as companies cope with the challenging economic backdrop.
