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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.
The Communications Group, a Little Rock-based shop releases its first Public Affairs Marketing Trends Report... The Worldcom Public Relations Group votes Paris-based firm SEITOSEI•ACTIFIN into its global partnership... PRNEWS, a European PR-tech firm, relocates its U.S. headquarters to downtown Miami.
af&co., a San Francisco-based hospitality marketing and PR agency founded by Andrew Freeman, is marking its 20th anniversary... Notified launches Syndicated Articles... Crosby Marketing Communications selects four students from Anne Arundel Community College for its marketing scholars program.
KCSA Strategic Communications launches the KCSA AI Lab, which will develop proprietary AI systems to expand what strategic communications can achieve for PR and IR clients... Clipbook, a vertical AI platform for strategic communications and public affairs, closes a $3.3 million seed round co-led by Mark Cuban, Commonweal Ventures and Carpenter Capital... VizSense, a Boston-based AI influencer marketing agency, teams up with holographic storytelling company Geminai, to launch what they say is the next frontier in brand experiences: interactive holograms powered by AI.
Ways Marketing Solutions, a Saudi Arabia-based marketing and communications group, teams with H&K alum James Drewer and Cake founder Mike Mathieson, to launch Ways Global Communications with HQs in London and Riyadh... UNICEPTA, a media intelligence provider within Stagwell’s The Marketing Cloud, launches an integration with Microsoft 365 Copilot... MAD Global CEO Mike DuHaime has been named to New Jersey Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill’s transition team.
Ogilvy launches CultureCurrent, a social-first earned media offering that integrates cutting-edge technology with human cultural intuition to listen, identify, activate and amplify brand stories.... Forward Global, a risk and reputation management advisory firm, opens in Abu Dhabi... Lyons Broadcast PR marks its 20th anniversary with the introduction of new virtual production technology, enhanced media outreach tools, and integrated broadcast-digital strategies.
