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Brodeur Parters is partnering with Gravyty, a provider of artificial intelligence-enabled fundraising software, to facilitate alumni contributions to colleges. The partnership will combine Gravyty’s First Draft AI tool with Brodeur Partners’ proprietary alumni research services to craft and deliver personalized messages, channels and activities specifically targeted to each potential donor. The partners say that the new tool will allow institutions to build relationships at two-to-three times the scale they typically experience. “As the first artificial intelligence company in fundraising, Gravyty understands how alumni engagement information can empower frontline fundraisers to build deeper relationships with donors and inspire philanthropy,” said John Brodeur, Chairman, Brodeur Partners. “Our company and Gravyty together redefine what’s possible by connecting donors to the specific causes that they care about most.”
 Paolo Compostella |
APCO Worldwide has expanded its operations in Italy with the opening of an office in Milan. The office is APCO’s second in Italy, adding to the firm’s long-established presence in Rome. Services such as corporate and product communications, social media and creative services, crisis communication and public affairs will be offered by the office, and its team of consultants have expertise across a range of industries and sectors including technology, health care, luxury, transportation and logistics and foreign investment. “Our work in Italy stands at the nexus of communications and public affairs and opening our office in Milan is a natural consequence of that work,” said APCO managing director, Italy, Paolo Compostella.
 Dara Busch |
5W Public Relations has expanded its cannabis practice following what the agency says is a 42 percent growth in business year-over-year. PR services that the agency offers to cannabis clients include messaging and positioning, media relations, influencer relations, product launches, new market expansion campaigns, executive visibility programs, fundraising announcements, content creation, sponsorships/partnerships, digital media campaigns, thought leadership and speaking opportunities. “The creation of new CBD companies is becoming ubiquitous,” said 5W executive vice president, consumer Dara Busch. “Existing and emerging brands need the right PR partners to create unique campaigns that give them a voice and identify what is truly going to set them apart to their consumers and among their competitors.”
DJE Holdings, parent of Edelman and Zeno, launches RUTH as an independent shop named after Ruth Edelman, mental health advocate, wife and longtime business partner of Dan Edelman.
New York City PR firms make up the largest slice of O'Dwyer's 147 firm overall ranking with 33 of 40 in the New York/New Jersey area either calling Manhattan their home or having a presence there.
Subject Matter+Kivvit, which joined forces in May, has rebranded as Avoq, an integrated shop with more than 200 professionals in Washington, New York, Asbury Park (NJ), Miami and Chicago.
While PR pros stationed at in-house comms. teams and those working for agencies share many of the same objectives, they also have markedly different top priorities, according to a recent report.
Edelman is cutting 240 employees or about four percent of its workforce to cope with the cooling down of the PR sector, according to a memo from CEO Richard Edelman.
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