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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.
IPREX names Big Picture PR in San Francisco, Precision Strategies in Washington, D.C., and Tiny Mighty Communications in Nashville as its first Americas Partner Cohort... Highwire launches AcroAnswers, a proprietary AI visibility platform... Big Red Oak and Naer Communications, a Calgary-based firm, form a partnership providing integrated communications and marketing services to clean energy companies and organizations across Canada.
Matter launches its Review Visibility Management service to address a shift in how companies across verticals earn trust online... A Queens school is putting out the message about Sept. 12, 2001 when people came together to help, comfort, rebuild and unite... Directive expands its Directive Communications division, which will bring PR, organic social, influencer marketing and paid social together under one integrated organization.
Praytell expands its Influence Department—which unites media, creators and social under one team... LRJ PR & Communications and Canopy Brand Group form an alliance that the firms say will bridge the operational divide between high-end brand design and strategic public relations... Twin Minds Media, Hispanic market specialist, increases the scope of its services in an effort to help brands build deeper connections with audiences through culture, storytelling, media and experiences. 
The People Platform, part of Stagwell's The Marketing Cloud, rebrands as Numetrix... Zapwater Communications has earned 17 finalist honors across two PR competitions: eight at the 68th Annual Golden Trumpet Awards, presented by the Publicity Club of Chicago, and nine at the 2026 PRSA Chicago Skyline Awards.. The Florida Public Relations Association presented 122 awards to individuals and teams from across the state at its 69th annual Golden Image and 3rd Annual Pinnacle Awards gala.
The Motion Agency acquires Vehr Communications, a Cincinnati-based strategic communications firm, effective Oct. 1... Lyceus Group, which specializes in financial services, is named a finalist for Public Relations Campaign at the 2026 ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Awards... IPSY, a curated beauty membership platform, launches IPSY Marketing Solutions, a full-funnel marketing and sales acceleration engine. 
