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IPG DXTRA is partnering with anti-racism education non-profit WE ARE, Ad Council, and ADL (Anti-Defamation League) on Dear White Parents, an initiative encouraging White parents to talk with their children about racism early and often. The campaign features a website with a curated library of age-driven resources and discussion guides, anti-racism workshops and discussions, and a short, unscripted film featuring four families introducing and discussing racism with their children. The project was conceived by Margenett Moore-Roberts, IPG DXTRA’s chief inclusion and diversity officer. A multi-disciplinary team from across several IPG DXTRA agencies collaborated on the platform. The collective included members from The Brooklyn Brothers, Golin, Hugo & Cat, Resolute Digital, R&CPMK and Weber Shandwick. The campaign will be highlighted as part of the Ad Council’s Racial Justice Series, a platform designed to support creatives from like-minded organizations dedicated to dismantling systemic racism and injustice. “We’re committed to driving awareness and momentum for the people and organizations who have dedicated their careers and lives to fighting racism,” said IPG DXTRA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Andy Polansky.
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Ballard Partners forms a strategic alliance with Sacramento-based advocacy firm RESOLUTE Co., expanding the firm’s footprint into California. Resolute’s services include strategy development, policy analysis, relationship building, campaign consulting, public communications and direct lobbying. Its nine lobbyists have experience in such sectors as high-tech/social media, finance, energy, education and gaming. “This strategic alliance now allows us to provide our clients with greater advocacy reach in the largest state in the nation,” said Ballard Partners president and founder Brian Ballard. Ballard Parners has offices in Washington, DC, Tallahassee, West Palm Beach, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa and Tel Aviv.
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| Shannon Lee |
The American Marketing Association Chicago names Shannon Lee, vice president of creative & engagement at StudioNorth, the chapter's new president. Lee will head up the organization at it launches a series of both in-person and virtual initiatives led by marketing pros from the Chicago market and beyond. AMA Chicago, the country's largest AMA chapter for the second year in a row, has also welcomed four new board members and created a strategic relations board position to facilitate communication between the AMA Chicago and the organization’s collegiate chapters. “The strength of our chapter is due in part to the incredible leadership, programming, and resources our board members have worked so hard to bring to the community," said AMA Chicago executive director Bonnie Massa.
ICR releases a report that says the SPAC IPO market has been trending upward—and is likely to stay on that track... Washington Women in PR is sponsoring an April 15 event that looks at how women can change the dynamics that often keep them in lower-visibility positions through strategic self-advocacy and organizational awareness... Life Science Cares Boston, an organization supported by LaVoieHeathScience, will convene leaders, employees and partners from across the life sciences industry for its annual Impact Breakfast on April 13 at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport.
Bell Yard Communications and Kysen PR, London-based firms that focus on legal market and litigation PR, are merging. The combined firm will operate as Bell Yard Kysen Communications... FINN Partners launches Travel with Tastemakers, a global report that looks at more than 25 destinations through the eyes of the creatives who shape them... Baker Public Relations, a woman-owned agency based in Albany with offices in Pittsburgh, PA and St. Petersburg, FL, rebrands as The Baker Agency. 
ChangeMakers, an independent shop with 400 professionals across Canada and the U.S., is merging with The Creative Dept., which advises innovative and culture-shaping companies on brand strategy and creative direction... Full Court Press Communications, a Bay Area-based strategic communications firm, celebrates its 25th anniversary... R&J Strategic Communications marks its 40th anniversary by launching its Moments That Made a Difference campaign.
