News of Firms: Ruder Finn Launches Content Marketing Unit

Kathy Bloomgarden

Ruder Finn launches analytics-driven content marketing offering to help clients develop cross-platform branded content. Under the leadership of executive vice president of brand marketing John Nolan, the team will develop narrative strategies and branded content platforms. Nolan will report to CEO Kathy Bloomgarden, who has driven the expansion of the agency’s digital offering, exploring emerging tech in social listening, AI, voice and VR/AR. “Our new offering will leverage tech-enabled listening tools and AI-driven analytics, which are critical to finding the insights necessary to target, connect with and build bridges across disparate communities and audiences,” Bloomgarden said.

Weber Shandwick slates two summer learning programs offering college students and recent graduates a deep dive into the rapidly evolving media landscape. The 2021 Media Genius Fellowship is a six-week, paid immersion in which ten Fellows will work full-time with the agency’s Media Genius team to explore new platforms, emerging content formats and evolving uses of tech. Media Genius Exchange, a six-week, discussion-based learning community, will offer 50 students an opportunity to examine key issues facing today’s media ecosystem. These programs are the newest extension of Media Genius, a Weber Shandwick Innovation Lab focused on tracking, investigating and adapting to media and culture change. “Building new tools to understand shifts and combat dangers is core to what we do. For us to get there, we need to rely on the next generation of industry talent,” said Weber Shandwick chief innovation officer Chris Perry.

Luquire George Andrews is rebranding itself to Luquire, a move that the agency says reflects the digitally focused firm it has evolved into over the past several years. As part of the rebrand, Luquire designers created a new logo and the agency has unveiled www.luquire.com, along with updated social channels (@luquireagency). The Charlotte, NC-based firm announced its new brand with a little help from former Carolina Panthers All-Pro Luke Kuechly, who recorded a humorous video mimicking Panthers fans’ signature “LUUUUUUKE” chant. “For years, clients have told me that when they’re faced with a big business challenge or opportunity, their first thought is, ‘Call Luquire,’” says Luquire. “That word has come to represent more than a person’s name – it symbolizes the deep, talented team and advanced capabilities we’ve amassed.”