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Highwire PR secures a strategic investment from Shamrock Capital, a Los Angeles-based investment firm that specializes in sectors including media, entertainment and communications. The partnership with Shamrock will enable Highwire to evaluate strategic additions to its healthcare practice as well as further develop its digital marketing services, data analytics, public affairs and corporate communications capabilities. “In Shamrock, we found a like-minded partner with unmatched marketing, media and communications expertise to help us build for a new era,” said Highwire principal and co-founder Kathleen Gratehouse. Canaccord Genuity served as exclusive financial advisor and Davis+Gilbert LLP served as legal counsel to Highwire. BrightTower served as exclusive financial advisor and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP served as legal counsel to Shamrock Capital on the transaction.
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Viral Nation, an influencer marketing company, acquires MediaKits, a Los Angeles-based startup that allows influencers, athletes and other creators to report data and analytics critical to brand relationships, sponsorships and other revenue opportunities. MediaKits founders Casey Adams and Kieran O’Brien will join the Viral Nation team as director, partnerships VN+ and director, product media kits, respectively. “We have been incredibly impressed by the work that MediaKits has done in such a short amount of time, and this acquisition takes us another step further in our mission to revolutionize technology for the creator economy,” said Viral Nation CEO Joe Gagliese.
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The Legacy Lab, a think tank and strategic consultancy developed by Publicis Groupe’s media, digital and communications agency Team One, calls for submissions for its annual scholarship, which is now in its fourth year. The scholarship is focused on helping Black and African American students achieve their long-term ambitions as future leaders and entrepreneurs. This year’s recipient will receive $15,000 to put toward school-related expenses, an increase over the previous year's $10,000. “This scholarship program is meant to celebrate the next-generation of leaders who see business as a force for making lasting change,” said Team One chief strategy officer and The Legacy Lab founder Mark Miller.
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.
PSC (Princeton Strategic Communications) acquires Nonprofit Partners... CG Life launches 24/364, a cultural brand platform intended to drive awareness, connection and action aimed at keeping rare disease at the forefront of the health and social conversation... Interluxe Group, which focuses on brand experiences and in-person activations; Quinn, a strategic communications agency; and media and digital agency North & Warren are uniting under the Interluxe Group banner.
KITH, which provides corporate reputation and crisis preparation services, is now owned by CEO Stephanie Craig, who has been with the firm since 2021... The Marketing Cloud, a part of Stagwell, introduces several expansions to Agent Cloud, the platform it launched in October 2025 to simplify access to its AI tools and marketing assistants.... Notified launches its AI Press Release Optimizer.
