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The Intiative Group has been formed by a group of publicists who formerly worked for BWR Public Relations. Partners in the firm include Cindy Guagenti, Paulette Kam, Gary Mantoosh, Christina Papadopoulos, Lisa Perkins, Jamie Skinner and Alex Spieller. A statement from the new firm said that it would “honor the legacy of BWR while returning back to its roots as an innovative independent public relations company.” The Initiative Group will also offer such digital services as social media risk assessment diagnostics and reputation management. The Initiative Group’s client roster will include Connie Britton, Drew Carey, Regina Hall, Matt LeBlanc, Mario Lopez and Joe Manganiello. BWR was merged into parent company Burson Cohn & Wolf in May, with the company citing the impact of COVID-19 as a factor in the decision. BWR co-founder Nanci Ryder passed away from ALS on June 11.
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Global tech PR specialist network the With Global Alliance has brought on five new members: FirstCom Comunicação in Brazil, VinciPR in Russia, Frau Wenk in DACH (Germany, Austria and Switzerland), GinjaNinjaPR in South Africa and DOK30 in Benelux. With these new members on board, the With Global Alliance now represents clients in 26 countries. The alliance says that the new members give it deeper experience in tech verticals including medtech, telco and retail tech. They also provide such services as personal branding, account-based marketing and financial communications. The new members come on board as the alliance launches an initiative, The Global Gathering, for colleagues of every level in each market to connect with their peers.
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Vladimir Jones has established a scholarship honoring Jim and Nechie Hall, who founded the agency in 1970. The Jim and Nechie Hall Scholarship will provide full tuition at Denver Ad School to a student who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend. Nechie Hall and current Vladimir Jones CEO Meredith Vaughan will collaborate with DAD leaders to help select the student who receives the scholarship. Over a 14-month period, DAD students receive specialized training in their chosen discipline from active industry professionals and participate in campaign classes to apply their learnings to real-life ideas and brands. “With this scholarship, we want to provide an opportunity for a person from any background to enter this industry and thrive. We don’t want debt, fear of not fitting in, or lack of industry experience to hold anyone back,” said Vaughan.
Praytell expands its Influence Department—which unites media, creators and social under one team... LRJ PR & Communications and Canopy Brand Group form an alliance that the firms say will bridge the operational divide between high-end brand design and strategic public relations... Twin Minds Media, Hispanic market specialist, increases the scope of its services in an effort to help brands build deeper connections with audiences through culture, storytelling, media and experiences. 
The People Platform, part of Stagwell's The Marketing Cloud, rebrands as Numetrix... Zapwater Communications has earned 17 finalist honors across two PR competitions: eight at the 68th Annual Golden Trumpet Awards, presented by the Publicity Club of Chicago, and nine at the 2026 PRSA Chicago Skyline Awards.. The Florida Public Relations Association presented 122 awards to individuals and teams from across the state at its 69th annual Golden Image and 3rd Annual Pinnacle Awards gala.
The Motion Agency acquires Vehr Communications, a Cincinnati-based strategic communications firm, effective Oct. 1... Lyceus Group, which specializes in financial services, is named a finalist for Public Relations Campaign at the 2026 ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Awards... IPSY, a curated beauty membership platform, launches IPSY Marketing Solutions, a full-funnel marketing and sales acceleration engine. 
Fire on the Hill, which has offices in London, Manchester, New York and Paris, is providing pro bono communications support to the Intergenerational Foundation, the UK's leading authority on intergenerational fairness... The PRSA-NY Big Apple Awards Gala on Sept. 17 will have Gio Benitez, co-anchor of the weekend edition of “Good Morning America” and ABC News transportation correspondent, serving as emcee... CasePR, a boutique litigation communications firm, launches in Portland, OR.
inFocus, which works with entertainment, media and innovation brands in the US Hispanic market and Latin America, expands into Mexico... Modern Currency Public Relations, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2027, launches an AI visibility & generative engine optimization practice... Adfactors PR, India’s largest reputation and critical issues advisory, acquires Australian communication consultancy SenateSHJ.
