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Ruder Finn expands its presence in the Washington, DC metro area with a new office that houses more than 20 communications specialists. The expansion follows the agency’s acquisition of Virginia-based multicultural firm Comunicad in May. Ruder Finn's DC office will service anchor clients such as Southwest Airlines, which recently named the agency as AOR to advance overall communications and thought leadership. Ruder Finn has also brought on Ellen Back as head of federal communications and sustainability communications expert Sarah Stanley. "Public affairs and government relations is a major focus for Ruder Finn," said Ruder Finn CEO Kathy Bloomgarden. "The breadth and depth of our expertise in the Washington, DC office is a testament to how adaptive our communications work can be in order to best serve our clients’ needs in an integrated and holistic manner."
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Allison+Partners launches the Performance+Intelligence Group, which combines the existing and new capabilities of the agency’s marketing innovation team into a centralized group of data and analytics experts. Led by agency partner Brent Diggins, the group includes cross-channel analytics and insights, data science, measurement and research functions. It works with such brands as AB InBev, Dexcom, UL’s FSRI and Toyota. Key hires include Kevin Convery, vice president of data science and Philip Kam, vice president of data aAnalytics. Katie Malark, current senior vice president of Research+Insights, will serve as operations lead. “Performance+Intelligence is an expansion in both capability and philosophy of our existing global data services team to better serve the increasing demand for deep, well-rounded and connected data," said Diggins.
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Gazelle Touch, based in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, has been elected to partnership in PROI Worldwide. Gazelle Touch serves major consumer brands, as well as providing corporate and crisis services to a variety of organizations in Ivory Coast and nearby countries. They bring a strong research focus to client programs, using surveys, focus groups and field research to bring data insights that drive program success. “We respect Gazelle Touch’s strong reputation for innovation and success in consumer branding,” said Jeff Lambert, global chair of PROI Worldwide and chair of Lambert Global “Additionally, they help build on our resources on the African continent which include partners in Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa.”
VPE Communications, which helps organizations authentically connect with diverse audiences, celebrates 38 years in business and announces a new ownership structure... Praytell expands into the Asian market with the opening of a new office in Singapore... The International Public Relations Network unveils a new visual identity and redesigned website. 
SourceCode Communications launches SourceCode Germany, establishing the agency's first office in continental Europe... Clario Group acquires Ted Miller Group, a Miami-founded agency focused on clients in the technology, travel & leisure and financial services sectors... Global Situation Room’s Global Risk Advisory Council is hosting a July 23 webinar that will go over the results of its new Reputation Risk Index.
Havas acquires MUT, a Barcelona-based firm focused on experiential marketing and sustainable events... IPREX lauches its AI Task Force...D S Simon Media, one of the first companies to produce a satellite media tour, celebrates its 40th anniversary... Washington Women in Public Relations is sponsoring an event that shows communications pros who work with associations how they can get their messages across clearly, credibly and courageously. “How Associations Lead with Strategic Storytelling,” at 6 p.m. on July 16.
TEAM LEWIS starts up its AI Practice... Thunderly launches a year-long storytelling campaign focused on how franchising can provide a pathway to business ownership... JIN, a European communications consulting group, introduces "AI Campaigning", a corporate offering designed to model and anticipate stakeholder behavior.
Karsh Hagan and Madden Media join forces as KHM... Endeavor Communications opens an office in the Harbor Point neighborhood of Stamford, CT... Big Red Oak, a Toronto-based communications firm, and D.C. area-based PA firm New Hill Consulting have launched a joint service exclusively for companies in the nuclear energy sector... The Pollack Group has partnered with Brandi AI, a platform for enterprise brand intelligence, AI visibility and Generative Engine Optimization.
