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Washington Women in Public Relations names its 2021 class of Emerging Leaders Awards. The awards honor five women between 25 and 35 who have excelled in public relations and related fields, and given back to the industry by contributing their skills and talents to innovative initiatives and projects. Curley Company vice president Stefani Alexander won in the Small/Boutique Agency category, and Edelman senior account executive, corporate affairs Rosemary Girard took home the award in the Mid- to Large-Sized Agency category. The government award went to Rachel Stephens, press secretary, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives; Maggie McClain, senior director of communications, Food Allergy Research & Education, was recognized for her work in the non-profit sector; and the award for in-house work went to Emily Newman, Senior Speechwriter, National Association of REALTORS®
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| Jonny and Paddy Davis |
Allied Global Marketing acquires Honey + Buzz, a Dublin-based experiential marketing agency that was an early adopter of virtual and hybrid events. The acquisition is intended to bolster Allied’s existing North American experiential marketing business and expands its global footprint. As a part of Allied, Honey+Buzz will service existing and new clients in Europe and beyond. “The team at Honey+Buzz shares our vision, and they have an excellent track record of breakthrough creativity and continuous innovation,” said Allied CEO Clint Kendall. “As the demand for in-person live experiences returns, the combination of Allied and Honey+Buzz is uniquely positioned to bring our clients the best of integrated live and digital experiences,” said Honey + Buzz co-founders Jonny and Paddy Davis.
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Blue State has launched a multidisciplinary political practice directed toward inspiring and turning out voters. Blue State Campaigns will provide multi-channel fundraising, strategic communications, paid media, and general consulting to Democratic and progressive campaigns, candidates and organizations across the country. The agency as a whole will continue to work with nonpartisan institutions. Blue State Campaigns will be led by Tessa Simonds, who most recently served as senior advisor for digital organizing on the Biden-Harris National Coordinated Campaign at the Democratic National Committee. “Blue State Campaigns will help run smart, integrated programs rooted in progressive values that focus a campaign’s time and money on reaching the voters and mobilizing the grassroots supporters they need to win,” said Blue State founder and CEO Joe Rospars.
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TrailRunner International opens an office in Nashville. Headquartered in Dallas/Fort Worth, the communications and strategic advisory firm also has offices in New York; San Francisco; Washington, DC; Shanghai and Truckee, CA. Sarah Grubbs, director at TrailRunner International and a Nashville native, has relocated from the firm's New York office to open and serve as the head of the Nashville office. She will be joined by TrailRunner International managing director Johanna Hoopes. "Nashville has a fantastic talent base and thriving economy, and the city reflects the very best in leadership. We are proud to expand into this important growth market," said TrailRunner International founder Jim Wilkinson.
Public Inc., a social impact agency based in Toronto and New York, acquires Rocket Social Impact, an advisory firm that works with nonprofit and corporate social impact organizations... Ruder Finn launches “What’s Next: The Ruder Finn Podcast,” a new platform hosted by CEO Kathy Bloomgarden... Crowe PR joins United Partners Network, a network of independent PR agencies with members across more than 65 markets worldwide.
Ruder Finn launches rf.Voices, an integrated influence offering that brings together AI-powered influencer marketing, customer advocacy and paid amplification under one measurable framework... The Pollack Group is accepting applications through March 31 for The Big Red Grant, a $40,000 pro bono strategic PR and marketing engagement program awarded to a nonprofit organization ready for growth... D S Simon Media releases a report that says almost seven in ten producers (68 percent) are more interested in airing a story when they know it has been optimized for AI.
Precision Strategies, an integrated strategy and marketing agency with offices in Washington and New York, acquires Firehouse Strategies, a DC-based public affairs firm... AVENIR GLOBAL acquires London-based Thinks Insight & Strategy... Good Company, which bills itself as a “cultural engineering firm,” is launched by DJ Hardy, a veteran of Johannesburg-based communications consultancy arxna and M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment and Casey Stickles, who has worked at 5WPR, Rubenstein and MWW.
PSC (Princeton Strategic Communications) acquires Nonprofit Partners... CG Life launches 24/364, a cultural brand platform intended to drive awareness, connection and action aimed at keeping rare disease at the forefront of the health and social conversation... Interluxe Group, which focuses on brand experiences and in-person activations; Quinn, a strategic communications agency; and media and digital agency North & Warren are uniting under the Interluxe Group banner.
KITH, which provides corporate reputation and crisis preparation services, is now owned by CEO Stephanie Craig, who has been with the firm since 2021... The Marketing Cloud, a part of Stagwell, introduces several expansions to Agent Cloud, the platform it launched in October 2025 to simplify access to its AI tools and marketing assistants.... Notified launches its AI Press Release Optimizer.
