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Penta, a stakeholder solutions firm with intelligence and strategy capabilities, launches. The new firm combines Ballast Research, Hamilton Place Strategies, Flag Media Analytics, alva and Gotham Research Group, along with newly acquired Decode_M. Penta, which comprises over 200 professionals in New York, London, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, is backed by a majority investment by Falfurrias Capital Partners. It will be led by president Matt McDonald, previously a partner at Hamilton Place Strategies. The integration of the firms into Penta will be complete by the end of year, following the conclusion of Ballast Research’s current research cycle. “Penta’s integrated approach will help leaders understand what the reputational risks they face mean for their business, and how to engage with stakeholders to reach desired outcomes,” said board chair Alexander Jutkowitz.
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WE Communications acquires social impact and behavior change agency Hopscotch Consulting. Moving forward, Hopscotch Consulting will be known as “Hopscotch, a WE Communications Company.” It will maintain its own client portfolio and continue to partner with WE on new business and joint client opportunities across corporate, consumer brand, healthcare and technology sectors. The current leadership of co-founders Sam Mercer and Julie Noble and managing director Marcus Hernon will report to WE managing director, UK, Ruth Allchurch. “Joining WE will enable Hopscotch to expand the reach of our social impact and brand purpose services globally, working with global education, tech, consumer and health brands,” said Mercer.
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Ketner Group, which specializes in retail technology PR and communications, releases its Retail Tech PR Handbook, an eBook that outlines best practices in the field. The agency says the eBook is intended to serve as a marketing and educational tool, and is focused on helping retail technology companies understand how to better engage with retail editors, analysts and influencers. It takes readers through the steps involved in putting together a campaign, from making sure that the right questions are asked before getting started to going through the steps involved in identifying objective, defining a strategy and creating a PR plan. It also gives pointers on building effective relationships; getting the most out of trade shows, speaking opportunities and awards; and finding the best way to evaluate the success of a program.
Acceleration Community of Companies, a network of independent media, marketing, and communications agencies including DKC, Stripe Theory and MKG, expands ACC Intelligence... Crosby Marketing Communications CEO Raymond Crosby is named to the Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Business Hall of Fame Class... Superson, a Helsinki-based agency with hubs in Amsterdam, Toronto and Singapore, is expanding its footprint in North America with the opening of a Toronto office.
MMGY and Las Vegas-based R&R partners are joining forces under parent company MMGY Global... HarrisQuest, the brand and reputation intelligence platform from The Harris Poll, launches HarrisQuest MCP (Model Context Protocol), which lets users easily connect an AI assistant to external data and tools... Curious Orange, a Dublin-based firm that offers strategy, creative design, digital performance marketing, and AI-enabled workflows, launches Curious Orange Live, a dedicated live experiential marketing agency.
The Messina Group is rebranding as Fortius Global and opening an office in London. Jim Messina, who launched the firm in 2013 after serving as campaign manager for Obama for America, will serve as CEO of Fortius Global and continue to set the vision, strategy, and execution for Fortius and its companies... The New York Chapter of the National Investor Relations Institute names the new members of its NextGen Committee for the 2026-2027 term... Billion Dollar Boy, a social and influencer marketing agency with offices in New York and London, acquires Santa Monica, CA-headquartered Creator Authority.
Slowey McManus Communications is receiving a majority stake investment from Adi Sarosa, founder and managing partner of AA24 Communications... Seven Letter, a Washington, D.C.-based bipartisan strategic communications and public affairs firm, marks its 20th anniversary... Jack Morton launches a new global brand identity.
Peregrine, which specializes in asset and wealth management, adds a Los Angeles office to its locations in New York and London... The Dilenschneider Group, which was founded by Hill & Knowlton CEO Robert Dilenschneider, marks 35 years in business... Meltwater launches Intelligence is Always in Style, a marketing campaign based on a short-film series starring actress Kim Cattrall.
