 |
| Brian Buchwald |
Weber Shandwick has formed a global intelligence division, which will use data and analytics to inform strategies that include the development of insight-driven, earned media storytelling opportunities. The division will be centered around what the agency is calling the A-Hub—a custom-built, AI-powered platform that it says can sift and sort billions of data points from thousands of data sources, enabling analysts to efficiently develop custom models that uncover insights and predict tangible outcomes. It incorporates earned and social media from a variety of data sources into its data stack, along with proprietary client and paid media data. “Instead of simply providing measurement at the end of a campaign, we’re developing effective, impact-driven programs based on insights from the start,” said Weber Shandwick’s head of global intelligence Brian Buchwald. The A-Hub is the latest in a series of tools and technologies the agency has designed, including Q, an enterprise platform that uses machine learning and AI to streamline a brand’s social customer service operation, and Mediaco Publish, a CMS specifically designed for brand publishing.
 |
Lambert & Co. has acquired Williamsville, NY-based Casteel Schoenborn Investor Relations & Corporate Communications. Casteel Schoenborn’s team is joining Lambert as part of the transaction, with principals Lynn Casteel and Jeffrey Schoenborn named managing directors. Casteel Schoenborn advises public and private enterprises, private equity firms and their legal and financial advisors in other industries on such issues as mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, public offerings and private placements, regulatory enforcement actions and litigation, governance issues, as well as special situations and crisis communications. “Their unique approach, enduring partnerships with management teams and vast experience set enhances our current client roster,” said Lambert & Co. CEO and founder Jeff Lambert.
 |
| Beatrice Seravello |
Baretz+Brunelle has created a NewLaw practice to be led by Brad Blickstein and Beatrice Seravello, who have joined the firm as partners. The new practice group will advise law firms and others in the legal ecosystem. Blickstein is also the founder and principal of Blickstein Group, an industry intelligence firm, which he will continue to own and operate. Before joining Baretz+Brunelle, Seravello managed the combination of global law firms Arnold & Porter and Kaye Scholer LLP. “Corporations are changing the way they buy legal services, so law firms have to change the way they market, sell and deliver them to stay competitive,” Baretz+Brunelle co-founder Spencer Baretz said. “No one is better equipped to help law firms and the other players in the market with this significant business challenge than Brad and Bea.”
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.
