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Edelman and Basilinna, DC-based strategic communications shop, have entered into an exclusive partnership designed to provide multinational China-and Middle East-based clients of both firms with expanded communications and government relations services in China, the Middle East and the US. The alliance, which combines Edelman’s integrated global communications services with Basilinna’s specialized strategic consulting services, is intended to help clients navigate through the challenging landscape of changing international market dynamics. “The Basilinna team has unique insights on issues related to China, the Middle East and US markets and a strong track record of matching those insights with effective strategies,” said Edelman Asia Pacific CEO Stephen Kehoe. In the Middle East, Edelman will work with Basilinna’s partner, EN Investment, a consultancy and investment house with expertise in screening investment opportunities, interpreting and evaluating public policy and pursuing business development possibilities in Egypt and the wider MENA region.
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| Greg Hakim |
Corporate Ink, a Boston-based B2B tech PR and content marketing agency and a partner in Worldcom Public Relations Group, has been acquired by Greg Hakim, who was previously a vice president at the firm. Hakim will now serve as the agency’s president and CEO. Corporate Ink was founded in 1989 by former chair of Worldcom’s technology practice and B2B practice groups Amy Bermar, who will continue to consult with the agency and its clients. With experience in emerging tech, data and analytics, supply chain, procurement, manufacturing, robotics and customer experience, Corporate Ink has worked with such clients as Workforce Logiq, Universal Robots and 3M.
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| Shel Lustig |
MediaTracks Communications, which provides radio and audio services for public relations, will celebrate its 30th anniversary on Dec. 22. The company, which was founded by Shel Lustig and Reed Pence, started out by producing the syndicated program "The Search for Mental Health" for Forest Hospital in Des Plaines, IL. The company then added "Radio Health Journal" and "Viewpoints Radio" to its lineup. Those two programs now air on more than 1,200 stations nationally and reach roughly 6.2 million listeners weekly. MediaTracks serves such clients as Pfizer, The Home Depot, Verizon Wireless and McDonald’s. “Radio—in its many forms—continues to play an important role for savvy public relations practitioners looking for a dynamic method to reach millions of diverse consumers,” said Lustig, who serves as the president of MediaTracks.
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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