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| Barbara Bates |
Hotwire launches its Ignite Possibility Program, an initiative that will commit up to $1 million in services to support tech and tech-enabled organizations led by or supporting minority communities. Any tech or tech-enabled organization that is either minority-led or providing a product or service benefitting minority communities in a country with a Hotwire office may qualify. Hotwire will work with local community tech leaders to reach organizations who can benefit from brand, marketing or PR pro bono services. Applications are open for organizations in the US, UK and Germany until March 15. An announcement of selected organizations in those countries will be made in April. Applications for Australia open later in 2021, and Hotwire may reopen applications in other regions throughout the year. “We have been providing pro bono services to impactful organizations for years, but now, with the Hotwire Ignite Possibility Program, we can do more to advance social justice through our services,” said Hotwire CEO Barbara Bates.
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ROKK Solutions and research firm Engagious are joining forces to offer a combination of communications and research capabilities aimed at helping organizations win their public policy campaigns. The strategic partnership will allow the two firms to co-market each other’s communications and message testing services and present an expanded suite of capabilities to current and potential clients. “This joint venture will further add to our arsenal of communications services that will now include the best research and insights in the marketplace,” said ROKK Solutions co-founder and partner Ron Bonjean.
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| Brett Marcy |
McNees Wallace & Nurick, a Harrisburg, PA law firm, has launched Apollo Communications, which specializes in building and enhancing brands and reputations, crisis and issue management, media relations and content marketing. The new agency, which serves clients across Pennsylvania, Ohio and Maryland, is led by Brett Marcy, who was most recently senior director of public relations and communications for WellSpan Health. He has also served as communications director for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, an associate vice president at Tierney Communications, and a reporter for several news organizations in Pennsylvania, including the Patriot-News. In addition to Apollo Communications, McNees Wallace & Nurick owns lobbying firm Capital Associates, nonprofit consulting firm Helix Strategies and Keystone Municipal Solutions, a company that provides municipalities with interim management and professional consulting services.
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The Public Relations Student Society of America has joined with Finn Partners to create a dedicated mentorship program for PRSSA members from historically Black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving institutions. “Partners for Diversity: The Internship Preview” pairs 50 students of diverse backgrounds with professional mentors that can provide guidance as they start their careers. Participating students will also have the opportunity to apply for future internship opportunities. Open to college juniors and seniors; this program will also let participants participate in a client meeting and take part in an open panel discussion with young professionals of color from Finn Partners and its clients. The selected students will be introduced to their mentors during the first week of March, with the formal program beginning on March 10. A resume, brief cover letter and PRSSA adviser reference are required as part of the application process. Students will be selected by a panel of Finn Partners’ professionals. For more information, click here.
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.
Karsh Hagan and Madden Media join forces as KHM... Endeavor Communications opens an office in the Harbor Point neighborhood of Stamford, CT... Big Red Oak, a Toronto-based communications firm, and D.C. area-based PA firm New Hill Consulting have launched a joint service exclusively for companies in the nuclear energy sector... The Pollack Group has partnered with Brandi AI, a platform for enterprise brand intelligence, AI visibility and Generative Engine Optimization.
Real Chemistry acquires Spurwing Communications, which advises pharmaceutical and healthcare organizations—as well as clients across a broader range of industries—throughout APAC... 5W AI Communications (5WPR) is moving its headquarters from New York to Florida (Miami, Tampa)... Valence Communications, which will focus on biopharmaceutical companies, launches under Matt Middleman, who was founder and CEO at LifeSci Communications.
Moburst, which specializes in digital marketing and AI-powered solutions, acquires Amazon marketing agency Hyperzon... The Public Relations Global Network launches its Health Practice Group, which brings together more than 20 independent agencies across four continents to support health care, life sciences and pharma organizations... ICR’s newly released Q2 2026 SPAC Market Update & Outlook shows a healthy environment for IPOs... Red Banyan, a senior-level crisis management, litigation PR, and reputation management firm, makes its first appearance in the Chambers and Partners listings.
Deerfield Group, a marketing, communications and media firm focused on the healthcare and life sciences sectors, receives a strategic majority investment from Martis Capital, a private equity firm... Bospar and market research firm Propeller Insights release the results of a study that shows public understanding of AI and the role it plays in brand discoverability is lagging behind the progress of the technology itself... Highwire launches AcroIntelligence, a proprietary Large Media Model designed to help companies identify emerging narratives, understand competitive shifts, and make faster, more informed decisions.
