 Doug Poretz |
Qorvis Communications co-founder Doug Poretz is launching High Growth Communications, an integrated communications agency that will focus exclusively on the medical and recreational cannabis industry. High Growth Communications will offer a full suite of communications services for all segments of the industry, including cultivators, retailers, cannabidiol (CBD) producers and all the affiliated industry participants such as lighting, packaging, and professional services firms, as well as trade associations. “With the industry under the watchful eye of the Congress and the FDA, in addition to the marketing campaigns needed to build brands, cannabis businesses will need experienced Washington communicators to help navigate both its business challenges as well as the regulatory and legislative hurdles that might ensue,” Poretz said.
 Tierney Oakes (left) and Adrienne Arieff |
Los Angeles-headquartered Beck Media & Marketing has opened an office in San Francisco. Tierney Oakes, who served as technology team lead at the agency’s Austin, TX location, heads up the new location. The office handles handles communications programs for several immersive content and technology innovators, as well as National Geographic, Avid Technology and Scribd. In addition, Beck is expanding the offerings of its Los Angeles office. Adrienne Arieff, who was previously a senior vp at San Francisco’s OutCast Agency, is being brought on to bolster Beck’s integrated marketing practice, working with clients on core messaging, content strategy, and influencer programming. The agency also says it is placing a renewed emphasis on hiring across each of its offices and practice areas spanning future media and advertising tech, b-to-b and b-to-c software and services, as well as continuing to focus on television, streaming and special events.
 Tony Cashman |
CashmanKatz has formed a strategic partnership with crisis communications and brand reputation firm Covergyx Media. Covergyx is led by CTV and Forum Strategic Communications founder Richard Frisch. The newly formed practice will become a part of both CashmanKatz’s public relations arm and its sister public affairs agency, Octagon Strategy Group. Frisch and his team will spearhead strategic communications and campaigns, reputation management, crisis and rapid response communications, corporate social responsibility and cause marketing as well as digital media relations and social communications. Other joint services will include public affairs communications, issues management, policy analysis, stakeholder engagement and campaigns for issues advocacy, reputation and branding. CashmanKatz president and CEO Tony Cashman said that the two firms have already collaborated on several projects.
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. 
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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.
