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| 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.
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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.
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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.”
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. 
