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The Institute for Public Relations and Peppercomm have released an e-book focused on COVID-19’s effect on PR, as well as other critical issues. Topics covered in “Leadership Perspectives: Leading and Looking Ahead Through COVID-19” include the increased importance of internal communications; diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives; corporate purpose; returning to work; and the future of business and the industry. The ebook features profiles and interviews from such communications executives and corporate leaders as Stagwell Group vice chair of marketing and communications agencies Ray Day, Hotwire North America CEO Barbara Bates, W2O principal Gary F. Grates and Public Affairs Council president Doug Pinkham. It is the third co-branded report released by IPR and Peppercomms during the COVID-19 crisis. To access the book, click here.
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Denver-based Icon Source, an on-demand digital marketplace that connects aspiring brands and professional athletes, has launched. The startup bills itself as the only platform that provides brands of all sizes direct communication with agents, eliminating intermediate steps to engage with a professional athlete. The more than 500 athletes on the platform are paired with brands based on social audience demographics. Companies can also run organic searches for athletes based on schedule, demographics, sports and personal interests. Founded by former Red Bull athlete marketing manager Chase Garrett, Icon Source provides strategy and production services in addition to its marketplace platform. “As social media and online platforms continue to transform our ability to access and interact with people, and as the college market begins to embrace compensation, it is an ideal time to create a secure and simple communication channel to connect directly to athletes and/or their agents for engagements,” said Garrett.
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| Eddie Reeves |
Vianovo, a strategy consultancy with offices in Austin, Mexico City and Washington, DC, has acquired Dallas-based Reeves Strategy Group. RSG founder Eddie Reeves will join Vianovo as partner. Before starting his own company, Reeves co-led the media relations practice of Austin-based Public Strategies Inc. Earlier in his career, Reeves was as press secretary for former U.S. Rep. J.J. ”Jake” Pickle and Houston Mayor Kathy Whitmire. The deal, intended to bolster Vianovo’s capabilities and presence in Texas and across the U.S. and Mexico, comes five months after Matt Hirsch, former deputy chief of staff and communications director for Texas Governor Greg Abbott, joined Vianovo as partner in its Austin office.
IPREX names Big Picture PR in San Francisco, Precision Strategies in Washington, D.C., and Tiny Mighty Communications in Nashville as its first Americas Partner Cohort... Highwire launches AcroAnswers, a proprietary AI visibility platform... Big Red Oak and Naer Communications, a Calgary-based firm, form a partnership providing integrated communications and marketing services to clean energy companies and organizations across Canada.
Matter launches its Review Visibility Management service to address a shift in how companies across verticals earn trust online... A Queens school is putting out the message about Sept. 12, 2001 when people came together to help, comfort, rebuild and unite... Directive expands its Directive Communications division, which will bring PR, organic social, influencer marketing and paid social together under one integrated organization.
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. 
