 |
| Lori J. Hall |
Pop’N Creative, a multicultural agency focused on digital and social content creation, and experience design, has been launched by Lori J. Hall, former SVP, marketing at cable television channel TV One, and Jessica D. Lane Alexander, the channel’s former head of digital & social content. Hall and Lane Alexander say the new agency’s primary mission is to help brands authentically connect with multicultural audiences. Pop’N Creative has created free directional guides – a Response Guide to Discussing Racial Injustice and an Action Guide to Dismantling Racism – to help brands craft an authentic, supportive response to the current controversies surrounding racial injustice in the US. “We’ve seen too many brands offend Black consumers in their marketing, creative and social conversations, and we know they can do better,” said Hall. “As a result, we are dedicated to helping brands avoid the pitfalls of marketing in a multicultural world.”
 |
| Elena Groznaya |
BUZZ Communications India has formed a strategic partnership with Moscow-headquartered iMARS Communications. The partnership, which expands BUZZ Communications’ current reach (PAN India, SAARC, Dubai, Canada, and the USA) to Russia, is intended to equip the clients of both agencies with the tools, education, and strategy they need to allow them to take advantage of the growth of bilateral business between the two nations. It is also a response to the changed global economic climate in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. “Even though PR and communications were often considered as a secondary and not vital function for business both in Russia and in India, many companies during the lockdown period realized that these functions are necessary for their existence in the market” said iMARS Communications senior partner Elena Groznaya.
 |
| Megan Carpenter |
FiComm Partners CEO Megan Carpenter has been named to InvestmentNews' 2020 40 Under 40 List. The 40 Under 40 designations spotlight young leaders making both professional and personal contributions to the financial services industry. InvestmentNews' editorial team reviewed more than 1,000 nominations and selected the recipients based on their accomplishments, leadership, and promise. Carpenter was recognized for her accomplishments, leadership and contributions to the industry. Carpenter founded Caritative Wealth Consulting at 29 and merged it with FiComm Partners, an integrated communications agency focusing on financial services clients, in 2014.
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.
