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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.
Mark Allen & Co. acquires Alban Communications, establishing its first Miami office... Buchalter, a business law firm, launches a crisis management and strategic response group... 5W PR expands its beauty practice to include TikTok Shop-aligned PR campaigns and creator amplification strategies.
Caster Communications is acquired by long-time agency leaders Alexandra Crabb and Peter Girard... DiGennaro Communications launches The Authority Studio, a freestanding content strategy and production offering... The Brandman Agency, which specializes in luxury travel and lifestyle, rebrands as Brandman.
Public Inc., a social impact agency based in Toronto and New York, acquires Rocket Social Impact, an advisory firm that works with nonprofit and corporate social impact organizations... Ruder Finn launches “What’s Next: The Ruder Finn Podcast,” a new platform hosted by CEO Kathy Bloomgarden... Crowe PR joins United Partners Network, a network of independent PR agencies with members across more than 65 markets worldwide.
Ruder Finn launches rf.Voices, an integrated influence offering that brings together AI-powered influencer marketing, customer advocacy and paid amplification under one measurable framework... The Pollack Group is accepting applications through March 31 for The Big Red Grant, a $40,000 pro bono strategic PR and marketing engagement program awarded to a nonprofit organization ready for growth... D S Simon Media releases a report that says almost seven in ten producers (68 percent) are more interested in airing a story when they know it has been optimized for AI.
Precision Strategies, an integrated strategy and marketing agency with offices in Washington and New York, acquires Firehouse Strategies, a DC-based public affairs firm... AVENIR GLOBAL acquires London-based Thinks Insight & Strategy... Good Company, which bills itself as a “cultural engineering firm,” is launched by DJ Hardy, a veteran of Johannesburg-based communications consultancy arxna and M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment and Casey Stickles, who has worked at 5WPR, Rubenstein and MWW.
