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Hill+Knowlton Strategies has launched Habits+, an evidence-based approach to starting, sustaining and stopping consumer and employee habits post-COVID, using behavioral science. Habits+ will operate out of the agency’s London office. H+K’s behavioral science team will use Habits+ to draw on evidence from previous crises, such as the SARS epidemic and the response to Hurricane Katrina, as well as a wider body of scientific evidence from health, sustainability and employee change programs. It identifies eight ways to change habits, many of which it says are commonly overlooked, and which are practical to apply into employee or consumer campaigns and initiatives. Habits+ is part of I-ACT, the broader support H+K is bringing to clients as they prepare for operation in the post-COVID-19 economy.
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Zapwater Communications has formed a partnership with travel trade marketing company Studio Jungla. Both firms already have a strong presence in the Mexican tourism market, and their joined forces will provide services including bilingual media relations, social media, influencer relations, consumer and trade events, travel agent and meeting planner outreach, and airline relations for Mexican hotels, resorts and destination management organizations. The partnership kicked off with the firms being jointly named U.S. agency of record for Visit Baja California Sur. “Partnering with Studio Jungla significantly increases our ability to execute high level, results-oriented campaigns that include the full spectrum of travel industry marketing needs,” said Zapwater CEO David Zapata.
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The Abbi Agency of Reno has acquired Made by Chance, which offers website and app development, digital design, branding and marketing, as well as videography, illustration and animation services. Headquartered in London, Made by Chance works with clients throughout Europe and other global markets. The combined agencies will now operate under The Abbi Agency umbrella, with offices in Reno, Las Vegas, New York City and London, headed up by The Abbi Agency director of digital experience Caroline Sexton. The Abbi Agency CMO Bryan Allison says that Made by Chance’s “superior web and app development work” will supplement the firm’s growing use of digital media buying.
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The Piacente Group investor relations firm is opening in Miami. Led by TPG founder and president Brandi Piacente, the office adds to the firm’s US market presence and extends its East Coast investment community and public company capabilities. The Miami office on Brickell Avenue joins TPG’s other offices in New York, California, Beijing and Shanghai. “As we continue to grow our business, particularly in high profile IPO geographies such as China and Latin America, where Florida serves as a hub, Miami is an ideal location to maintain the close relationships and active service we offer to our clients,” said Piacente.
ICR releases a report that says the SPAC IPO market has been trending upward—and is likely to stay on that track... Washington Women in PR is sponsoring an April 15 event that looks at how women can change the dynamics that often keep them in lower-visibility positions through strategic self-advocacy and organizational awareness... Life Science Cares Boston, an organization supported by LaVoieHeathScience, will convene leaders, employees and partners from across the life sciences industry for its annual Impact Breakfast on April 13 at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport.
Bell Yard Communications and Kysen PR, London-based firms that focus on legal market and litigation PR, are merging. The combined firm will operate as Bell Yard Kysen Communications... FINN Partners launches Travel with Tastemakers, a global report that looks at more than 25 destinations through the eyes of the creatives who shape them... Baker Public Relations, a woman-owned agency based in Albany with offices in Pittsburgh, PA and St. Petersburg, FL, rebrands as The Baker Agency. 
ChangeMakers, an independent shop with 400 professionals across Canada and the U.S., is merging with The Creative Dept., which advises innovative and culture-shaping companies on brand strategy and creative direction... Full Court Press Communications, a Bay Area-based strategic communications firm, celebrates its 25th anniversary... R&J Strategic Communications marks its 40th anniversary by launching its Moments That Made a Difference campaign.
