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Merge, a creative, marketing and technology company, has acquired strategic and digital agency Sandbox. The combined company, which will have more than 600 employees and seven locations across the U.S. and Canada, will operate under the Merge brand. All of the members of the Merge and Sandbox executive teams will remain in leadership positions, with current Merge chief executive officer Patrick Venetucci serving as chief executive officer of the newly combined company. Last year, Merge acquired Boston-based experience design, digital marketing, and technology consultancy Beam.
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C5 Collective has launched the “C5 Collaborative,” a group of female executives who contribute their knowledge, skills and expertise to help the firm strengthen its pitches and overall performance. Members of the C5 Collaborative have been a part of the RFP process as well as participating in the execution of agency projects. The first members of the C5 Collaborative include social media strategist and content producer Alanna Bass, corporate communications leader and executive coach Aimee Baxter, former CNN producer and event planning consultant Kay Jones Davis, global health and communications expert Amy Fowler, television news producer and content strategist Cicily Scott and former CNN producer and media relations consultant, Susan Toffler. “The more we are able to tap into a diverse set of global expertise and backgrounds, the more we can deliver innovative strategies and services,”, said Washington, D.C. based C5 partner Nicole Schiegg.
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Moscow-based iMARS Communications has joined the Public Relations Society of America, becoming one of the first PRSA members from Russia. The agency is also a member of PRCA International, IAEE, CIPRA, American Chamber of Commerce in Russia and AHK Russland. “iMARS Communications is firmly focused on the development of international communications,” said iMARS president Vladimir Stupnikov, adding that by joining PRSA, the agency would be able to “participate actively in the development of industry standards and global communication market rules.”
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.
