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| Vince Powers |
360PR+ acquires Philadelphia-based Powers Brand Communications. Powers founder Vince Powers will continue to work with the agency’s clients and staff, serving as executive vp for 360PR+ and managing director of its Philadelphia office. Launched in 2012, Powers Brand Communications serves clients in consumer products and retail, franchise businesses, financial services and insurance, education, hospitality and real estate. "There's a natural fit between the businesses Powers Brand Communications serves and 360's sectors of expertise—food & beverage, beauty, wellness, STEM learning, pet and more," said 360PR+ CEO Laura Tomasetti.
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Matter Communications opens an office in Rochester, NY. The agency says that the new office (its eighth) allows the agency to capitalize on the region’s growth opportunities across B2B technology, healthcare and consumer and further support its commitment to growing diverse talent. Among Matter’s current clients in the Rochester area is Paychex, a provider of integrated human capital management software solutions for human resources, payroll, benefits and insurance services. “Rochester was a natural choice for Matter and we’re excited to work more closely with existing partners as well as tap into the region’s bustling young professional scene from the area’s numerous universities,” said Matter principal and CEO Scott Signore.
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| Robert Hastings |
Robert Hastings & Associates, a leadership and communications consultancy focused on the aerospace, defense and mobility sectors, is launched by Robert A. Hastings, who served as principal deputy/assistant secretary of defense for public affairs in the George W. Bush administration. Hastings was most recently chief marketing & communications officer for Bell Textron Inc., where he planned and led the advocacy campaign for the U.S. Army’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft program. The new consultancy’s focus will be on developing and executing strategies and campaigns to help businesses achieve strategic alignment, shape information environments, and drive performance and value. “I’m eager to leverage the experience and knowledge I’ve gained in government relations, marketing, communications and strategy with some of the world’s largest and most complex enterprises,” said Hastings.
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Penta, which was formed in September 2022 following the merger of Ballast Research, Hamilton Place Strategies, Flag Media Analytics, alva, Gotham Research Group, and Decode_M, acquires Hume Brophy, a global public affairs, communications, and strategy firm. Hume Brophy chief executive Conall McDevitt will become a senior partner and managing partner, Europe and Asia, at Penta. John Hume and Eoin Brophy, Hume Brophy co-founders, will continue at Penta as senior advisors. Founded in 2005, Hume Brophy has offices in London, Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, Paris, Hong Kong and Singapore. "As we look to provide the actionable intelligence businesses need to inform their decision-making, we are excited to welcome the Hume Brophy team to Penta," said Penta President Matt McDonald.
Mark Allen & Co. acquires Alban Communications, establishing its first Miami office... Buchalter, a business law firm, launches a crisis management and strategic response group... 5W PR expands its beauty practice to include TikTok Shop-aligned PR campaigns and creator amplification strategies.
Caster Communications is acquired by long-time agency leaders Alexandra Crabb and Peter Girard... DiGennaro Communications launches The Authority Studio, a freestanding content strategy and production offering... The Brandman Agency, which specializes in luxury travel and lifestyle, rebrands as Brandman.
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.
