Makhno

Relevance International signs up Makhno Studio, a Kyiv-based studio of Ukrainian contemporary design, architecture, and ceramics. Relevance is providing PR and consultation services to the studio pro-bono while helping them build their brand in the US. So far, Makhno has completed more than 700 projects in 21 countries. The agency has also established agency of record relationships with boutique real estate agency Prime Manhattan Residential and Royal Palm Companies, which has more than 6,000 residences in its portfolio and over $3.5 billion in managed real estate projects.

Ankorstore

Clarity picks up UK communications duties for Ankorstore, a B2B marketplace that offers a product catalogue of over 20,000 brands to 250,0000 retailers across Europe. Clarity will work to help the wholesale marketplace platform grow its brand awareness among key audiences and establish itself as a trusted partner to retailers and brands. The agency is partnering with English retail consultant and broadcaster Mary Portas on a range of activations to support the company. Founded in 2019 by four French e-commerce entrepreneurs, Ankorstore achieved unicorn status in 2021. It has offices in Paris, London, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin and Stockholm, and more than 600 employees. "We look forward to working together to champion independent retail in the UK," said Ankorstore UK deputy general manager Jina Kwon.

Global Kids

Marino adds Global Kids to its roster of nonprofit accounts. Marino will lead a media relations and creative campaign aimed at driving awareness of the organization in the regional and national landscape. Working primarily with middle school and high school students in underserved communities, Global Kids offers a variety of school-day and afterschool programs at school sites and at its NYC headquarters, as well as enriching summer learning programs. "Through its leadership development, global awareness and civic engagement programming, Global Kids is cultivating our future leaders—and we look forward to advancing this important work," said Marino senior vice president Danielle Alkobi, who leads the agency's nonprofit practice.

Shield

Firecracker PR has signed on as the agency of record for Shield AI, an AI-software-for-defense "unicorn" that recently announced a Series E round of funding for $165m. Founded in 2015, Shield AI is the developer of the Hivemind autonomy stack, which it says enables intelligent teams of aircraft to perform missions ranging from room clearance, to penetrating air defense systems and dogfighting F-16s. The company has offices and facilities in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C. and Abu Dhabi.