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UpSpring, which works with clients in the architecture, design and real estate industries, picks up digital marketing studio Epiphany. The acquisition includes Epiphany’s client roster and team of digital marketing specialists; the combined agency now numbers nearly 50 employees. Susan Fernandez, Epiphany founder and now UpSpring’s vice president of digital marketing, will lead all digital efforts for B2B and B2C clients. New services that UpSpring will offer include website auditing, email campaigns and podcasts. The company’s expansion into digital marketing also marks the debut of a redesigned website and branding package for UpSpring that reflects the company’s growth and expanded capabilities. “The acquisition of Epiphany is just one way that UpSpring is expanding its capabilities to reflect the demands of the industry,” said UpSpring CEO Tiffany Rafii.
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BerlinRosen acquires a majority stake in Derris, a brand consultancy that has launched such direct-to-consumer brands as Warby Parker, Everlane and Glossier. Derris, which currently has 65 employees in New York and 10 in London, will continue to operate independently. Agency founder Jesse Derris and partner Lisa Frank will remain in place, and no positions will be eliminated. Following an investment from private equity firm O2 in January, BerlinRosen has also acquired a majority stake in Glen Echo Group and diversity, equity and inclusion consultancy Onward.
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CommCore Consulting Group launches CommCore Capital Markets, an offering that provides coaching and counsel to private and public company management teams engaging in earnings calls, high-level investor meetings, IPOs, financial roadshows, and Series A/B/C funding rounds. The offering is geared toward helping spokespeople deliver their company’s value proposition and engage with top-tier media and business financial analysts. “In tough markets for fund raising, it’s more important than ever to focus on the company story and rehearsal,” said CommCore CEO Andrew Gilman. “A polished and confident presentation makes a big difference in convincing potential investors.” CommCore is headquartered in Washington D.C., and has offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas and Atlanta.
Page launches the Polansky Future Leaders Fund, which was established through a gift from 2025 Page Hall of Fame inductee and former Weber Shandwick Global CEO Andy Polansky... Ruder Finn reintroduces its website, ruderfinn.com, which will now feature a large language model (LLM) as its primary user interface... Higher Plane Media is launched by former Sloane & Company CEO Darren Brandt.
Champion, which specializes in restaurant, franchise and consumer brands, opens a Miami office, adding to its operations in Dallas and Los Angeles... Violet PR, a Montclair, NJ-based firm that focuses on economic development, commercial real estate and place branding, opens a second office on Park Avenue South in New York... Inflection Point, a founder-led, senior growth systems partner for startups and growth-stage businesses, launches... PRSA announces the recipients of its inaugural Women of Impact Awards. Honorees honorees were recognized during the PRSA Women of Impact Summit & Awards at the Union League Club of Chicago.
FleishmanHillard is shuttering its 20-member Dublin office as Omnicom Public Relations reorganizes its global operations... Vested acquires Watermark, a D.C.-based public affairs and special situations firm.... Matter earns two Pinnacle Awards 2026 Marketing & Communications honors for its clients.
Quad/Graphics launches Direct, a Quad Agency to help marketers create, execute and measure direct marketing campaigns in one connected offering... InnoVision Marketing Group SVP/senior creative director Giselle Campos and SVP/general manager Alanna Markey are among the first-ever winners of the San Diego Business Journal’s Indispensables Awards, which recognizes professionals who make the greatest impact within their organizations and across the San Diego business community... Park Place Technologies, an IT infrastructure services firm that works with Feintuch Communications, releases the second episode of its “The Savvy CIO” podcast. 
Ripley PR is named a silver winner in the TITAN American Business Awards’ Outstanding PR Campaign category... Excellera, a corporate-advisory firm, came in at number one in deal count, as well as fourth in deal value, in Mergermarket’s list of top EMEA firms... Thunderly is telling the stories of military veterans who transferred the discipline, organization and leadership skills developed in service to their country into successful post-military careers as franchise business owners, as part of its year-long "American Dreamers: The Stories of Franchising" effort.
