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Propel, a PR software firm, adds an accessibility widget to its platform for those with disabilities—including visually impaired, blind, dyslexic, elderly, and neurodiverse individuals. The accessibility widget, created by UserWay, delivers solutions to more than 40 challenges a variety of disability communities face on traditional websites including: screen reader, dyslexia font, high contrast, keyword only navigation and others. Coca-Cola, Disney and eBay are also using this widget to make their sites more accessible and inclusive. The launch of the Accessibility Widget is the first initiative of Propel's newly formed diversity and inclusion board, which was created to provide equal opportunities to PR professionals and journalists from all backgrounds, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and disability communities. Propel co-founder and CEO Zach Cutler is one of the only venture-backed technology entrepreneurs with a physical disability. "Making our platform more inclusive is important and was easier than I imagined," said Cutler.
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Bliss Impact, a new offering from The Bliss Group focusing on purpose-driven initiatives, is one of 10 technology and professional services companies that have joined forces to launch purposewerx, a global collective created to drive and scale business and social impact. The collective's members also include global purpose consultancy Innate Motion, digital marketing and design agency Matchfire, and media specialists Truth + Unity. Purposewerx says that its founding members represent a combined $45 million in annual revenue. "Our experiences at traditional agency holding companies or networks, or as clients of those models, fueled our desire to build something novel," said purposewerx co-founder and chairman John McNeel. "We sought to create a specialized constellation of partners that were stronger together but honored our unique identities."
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The Institute for Public Relations has formed a partnership with The Commission on Public Relations Education. Under the partnership agreement, IPR and CPRE will coordinate activities and resources, as well as pursuing 501(c)(3) status for CPRE so it can maintain independent governance of its operations. In addition, the PR Council will support CPRE and IPR in these efforts, lending the strength of its members to address the profession's growth and aid CPRE's role in developing curricula and standards that prepare students for professional success. "IPR has long supported the work of CPRE and we are absolutely thrilled to partner with them and work with the PR Council to help support CPRE's mission to continue to advance excellence in public relations education," said IPR president and CEO Tina McCorkindale.
The Public Relations Global Network adds Rooster, a London-based agency, as its newest member for the United Kingdom... Spectrum Science launches Mo (short for Momentum), an AI-powered platform... Kinetic Marketing Communications, a women-owned marketing communications agency and on-demand marketing talent firm, launches its Strategic Marketing AI Framework.
Ruder Finn launches rf.StoryLab, a creative incubator that merges generative AI tools with human-powered creative vision... Do It On, a Lisbon-based marketing and communication agency, joins INT. Agencies, an international collective of independent full-service agencies with a presence across five continents... The Public Relations Society of America releases “AI Prompting 101: A ‘Start Here’ Guide for Professional Communicators,” a resource offering practical, structured guidance to help communications pros integrate generative AI tools into their daily work.
PKPR, a New York-based boutique shop, launches a book publicity division focused on nonfiction authors... Palantir Technologies and Stagwell form a partnership to create an AI-driven platform for marketers... The Conference Board is presenting a Nov. 18-19 event at the Brooklyn Marriott that will look at the priorities, challenges and opportunities facing AI decision-makers today.
Gregory FCA is marking its 35th anniversary with a comprehensive rebrand... Madden Media, a Tucson-based agency, teams with Denver-based Karsh Hagan... Jasper, an AI content automation platform, launches Jasper Grid, an interface that allows marketing teams to create and orchestrate content across a range of channels, audiences and regions.
Sommerfield Communications, a corporate, financial, and crisis shop that was acquired by Allison Worldwide in early 2021, re-launches as an independently owned firm... D S Simon Media launches a broadcast media tour designed to enhance Generative Engine Optimization... The Public Relations Society of America’s ICON 2025 Conference brought together close to 2,100 in DC from Oct. 28-30.
