UniWorld Group, which is a multlicultural affiliate of WPP, starts up an NIL (name, image, likeness) program to benefit Black collegiate student-athletes. The new sports business consulting unit will partner with major brands to maximize the equity and empowerment impact of their investment in student-athletes. UWG says the unit will ensure that brands’ NIL endeavors include equal and fair ad investment allocation and the creation of relevant content. They will also work to develop programs providing mentorship and other industry support to Black student-athletes. “UWG wants to push into a space where their NIL investments in black college athletes will empower this generation to become the brands of the future,” said UWG chair and CEO Monique Nelson.
Peppercomm launches the Laughing Matters Council, a strategic advisory council of experts in humor that will focus on ways that the principles of humor can be used to drive long-term business success. “Laughter and humor in the workplace have never been more important,” said Peppercomm founder and CEO Steve Cody. “Our mission is to raise awareness of humor as an incredible change agent.” As part of the council’s work, Peppercomm is offering three humor-led service offerings: Stand Up and Connect, a how-to on the tenets of comedy to bring joy and imagination back into work; Stand Up and Lead, focused on managerial leadership and growth; and Stand up and Change, a three-pronged approach to connect and catalyze stakeholders across the change journey utilizing humor, experiential learning, and branding and communications expertise.
Gather, a cloud-based solution that allows web and application developers to generate revenue without ads, is partnering with GIVE Nation, an organization aimed at bringing crypto-based sustainable financial literacy to children and their parents. The partnership will allow Gather users to donate to the GIVE Nation Initiative. All donations raised through this initiative will continue this mission to spread sustainable financial literacy in schools across Europe, Asia and the Americas. Donors within the U.S. may be able to receive a tax deduction for their contribution. “Learning about financial literacy should be positive, fun and engaging,” said Gather CEO and founder Raghav Reggie Jerath.
Caster Communications is acquired by long-time agency leaders Alexandra Crabb and Peter Girard... DiGennaro Communications launches The Authority Studio, a freestanding content strategy and production offering... The Brandman Agency, which specializes in luxury travel and lifestyle, rebrands as Brandman.
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.
