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| Kristin Hooper |
BCW has launched the BCW Polycultural Consulting Unit, which will help clients understand, connect with and move diverse stakeholder audiences. The unit considers an audience’s multidimensional and sometimes fluid markers of identity, as well as highly differentiated life experiences and specific views on racial and societal issues. It is based on what the agency calls the “three key pillars of identity”—cultural heritage (including race, ethnicity, traditions and language), cultural status (which considers such factors as lifestyle, sexual orientation, education and class/income) and cultural zeitgeist (which takes factors including art, economics, fashion, pop culture and vernacular into account). Insights gained from this audience analysis will then be applied across offerings that range from research and strategy to internal and external communications programs. “Brands and organizations that overlook connecting with polycultural America now risk losing their relevance with an audience that is only going to continue to grow,” said BCW Polycultural Consulting Unit lead Kristin Hooper.
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Lambert & Co. is the lead investor in the recently launched TiiCKER, Inc., an intelligent software platform that engages, verifies and rewards individual investors through integrated content, stock perks and zero-commission trading. The platform enables publicly traded companies and their brands to gain new access to the high-potential demographic hidden in their retail shareholder base. By linking dozens of online brokerages to the platform and leveraging TiiCKER’s stock trading partner, Tradier, to provide free trading, individual investors are able to view their investments and perks all in one place. “We created TiiCKER specifically to convert the 56 million retail investors in the U.S. to consumers, while transforming consumers into shareholders in the brands they love,” said Lambert CEO and TiiCKER founder Jeff Lambert.
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Bolt PR has been acquired by Millwright Holdings, an independent marketing services holding company. The acquisition is intended to give Millwright new strength in consumer and lifestyle PR, communications strategy, influencer marketing, and digital marketing. Bolt founder and president Caroline Callaway will retain her position and Jo-Anne Coombes will remain vice president. Bolt, which provides brand positioning, digital and social strategy, media relations, influencer marketing and crisis communications for clients in the packaged goods, consumer technology, hospitality, fashion and beauty, finance, education, B2B services, health and fitness, and food and beverage categories. has offices in Dallas, Pittsburgh, Raleigh and Orange County, CA. “The addition of Bolt will enable us work with consumer-focused brands across a wide range of industries,” said Millwright Holding president and CEO Michael Young.
Brunner, a Pittsburgh-based integrated marketing agency, acquires AdSkate, an AI-powered creative analytics and marketing intelligence platform that helps brands and agencies optimize advertising performance... Augustine Agency launches Flavor Theory, a foodservice marketing practice aimed at helping restaurants, food manufacturers, distributors and institutional dining organizations grow their brands and businesses... The Acceleration Community of Companies releases a report finding that almost half (49 percent) of Gen Z sports fans say they have become interested in a new sport or athlete because of fan-created content or something entirely outside the sport. 
VPE Communications, which helps organizations authentically connect with diverse audiences, celebrates 38 years in business and announces a new ownership structure... Praytell expands into the Asian market with the opening of a new office in Singapore... The International Public Relations Network unveils a new visual identity and redesigned website. 
SourceCode Communications launches SourceCode Germany, establishing the agency's first office in continental Europe... Clario Group acquires Ted Miller Group, a Miami-founded agency focused on clients in the technology, travel & leisure and financial services sectors... Global Situation Room’s Global Risk Advisory Council is hosting a July 23 webinar that will go over the results of its new Reputation Risk Index.
Havas acquires MUT, a Barcelona-based firm focused on experiential marketing and sustainable events... IPREX lauches its AI Task Force...D S Simon Media, one of the first companies to produce a satellite media tour, celebrates its 40th anniversary... Washington Women in Public Relations is sponsoring an event that shows communications pros who work with associations how they can get their messages across clearly, credibly and courageously. “How Associations Lead with Strategic Storytelling,” at 6 p.m. on July 16.
TEAM LEWIS starts up its AI Practice... Thunderly launches a year-long storytelling campaign focused on how franchising can provide a pathway to business ownership... JIN, a European communications consulting group, introduces "AI Campaigning", a corporate offering designed to model and anticipate stakeholder behavior.
