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The Institute for Public Relations launches IPR ELEVATE, a membership program for leaders who are dedicated to IPR’s research-focused mission. The program is open to mid- and senior-level, high-achieving communication professionals with at least 10 years of experience. Members are elected by the IPR ELEVATE Committee, which is comprised of CCOs, as well as agency, nonprofit and executive search leaders. IPR ELEVATE will limit its membership to fewer than 35 in its inaugural year. Applications will be accepted on a quarterly basis with the first review of applications due on April 1. “IPR ELEVATE offers leadership and professional development opportunities for a generation of leaders who care about the importance of research and insights to the field,” said Steve Cody, founder and CEO of Peppercomm and inaugural chair of the IPR ELEVATE Committee. “I’m excited to work with these leaders to launch this program and advance IPR’s mission.”
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Maracaibo Media Group expanded into larger headquarters on Feb. 1. Founded in 2006, the New City, NY (about an hour from NYC) firm specializes in broadcast, print and web-based media campaigns, national broadcast print and online media placements, social media, live event production, video production and media training. The agency also has satellite offices and a network of affiliated professionals across the country. The new hybrid space is equipped with a large screen TV connected to a remote work-station for Zoom calls, and there are big “creative spaces” both inside and outside for employees to mingle and collaborate. Agency CEO and founder Lynn Munroe is excited about “hopping out of the zoom box” with her staff and being there in person three days a week.
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| Suzanne Tobin |
With the Australian border opening on Feb. 21 (allowing Australians to travel internationally for the first time since March 2020), PR firms that service the country are preparing for a wave of interest from travelers. Suzanne Tobin, CEO of Australia-based tourism and destination management firm Latitude PR, notes that “for the past two years, when Australians talked to friends, one of their first discussions would be, ‘What are the top destinations you are going to visit when the borders open?’” Before Covid 19, almost one out of three Australians traveled internationally every year, and the country ranks ninth on consulting firm Timetric’s survey of the World’s Top Ten Biggest Travelers.
Mark Allen & Co. acquires Alban Communications, establishing its first Miami office... Buchalter, a business law firm, launches a crisis management and strategic response group... 5W PR expands its beauty practice to include TikTok Shop-aligned PR campaigns and creator amplification strategies.
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.
