 |
Brownstein Group expands its network of specialized agencies with the launch of Red Thread PR, which will focus on brand connections and authentic storytelling across a PESO model. Led by Laura Emanuel, who is shifting from vice president to managing director, Red Thread will offer services such as corporate communications, media and influencer relations, brand campaigns, upper and lower funnel marketing, partnerships, internal communications, social engagement and social impact. Brownstein’s other specialty agencies include Nucleus Digital, a virtual agency that offers digital media, marketing automation and performance marketing services, and Studio215, a digital production content house. “After many years of growth, today we are reaffirming our expertise across a spectrum of communications specialties—strengthening our capabilities within PR and our ability to create connection throughout our clients’ marketing campaigns,” said Emanuel.
 |
Bastion Elevate, part of the global Bastion Agency, merges with IMW Agency. IMW Agency president Chris Bretschger will serve as CEO of the combined entity, which will operate as Bastion Amplify. Shana Starr, who was previously president of Bastion Elevate, will now serve as Bastion Amplify president. According to Bastion USA chief executive officer Dax Cornelius, the merger puts Bastion USA on track to become the largest full-service independent marketing company on the West Coast. “Elevate and IMW have each been winning new business and industry accolades at an impressive clip, but the gaps in their capabilities remained a challenge,” said Cornelius. “Combining the companies not only fills those holes but provides clients with a diverse breadth of specialties.”
 |
The Pedowitz Group, a digital consulting firm, agrees to acquire B2B marketing and communications agency BizMark. The entire BizMark team will transition to the new entity and will operate as the creative and agency services arm of The Pedowitz Group. BizMark founder Ed Gillespie will lead the new division. The acquisition will expand The Pedowitz Group’s offerings to encompass strategy consulting, technology consulting, staff augmentation and full creative and agency services. "Adding such award-winning creative services adds to the end-to-end revenue marketing capabilities that are so essential in today's customer-centric, digital world," said The Pedowitz Group CEO Jeff Pedowitz.
The PHA Group, which has offices in London, Manchester and Leeds, is expanding to New York... The Next Solutions Group launches NSG Health... Rational 360, a DC-based firm, has relocated to an 18,000-square-foot space on the city’s K Street business corridor... KAOH Media, a firm specializing in clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, and ESG-driven investments, launches Fieldwise Civic Engagement.
SKDK merges with digital advertising firm Wavelength Strategy... Supreme Group launches Supreme Intelligence, an artificial intelligence platform designed to meet the commercial needs of healthcare and life sciences companies... Relevance International introduces Artificial Intelligence Amplification Optimization, a proprietary service designed to help brands create a competitive advantage for AI visibility... IMAGINE PR introduces a brand partnerships division, which will focus on ensuring that partnerships are meaningful and measurable, rather than transactional.
SourceCode Communications acquires Rally Point Public Relations... Ruder Finn launches its AI Accelerator, a set of tools and capabilities that will be embedded across client work, agency workflows, and talent recruitment and development, as a way of building AI-native expertise across disciplines... Ceisler Media & Issue Advocacy, a communications, media strategy and public relations firm, is merging with Athena Global Advisors. 
MikeWorldWide launches a supply chain, logistics, and infrastructure practice... Kroll introduces two practices: Kroll Economics and Decision Intelligence... Orange Orchard founder Heather Ripley is hosting a free 60-minute live masterclass on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. EST to help animal sanctuaries earn meaningful earned media coverage and turn that visibility into stronger community support.
Stagwell agencies Doner and Colle McVoy form a “strategic alliance” that will operate as DonerColle Partners... Merryman Communications, a healthcare marketing and communications agency, rebrands as M+... Crowe PR launches Crowe Media platform... Tauth Labs, which provides content authentication solutions for clients in the communications, financial services and local government sectors, has been certified by the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity.
