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| Stuart Pfeifer, Matthew Fern |
Sitrick & Co. veterans Stuart Pfeifer and Matthew Fern launch LAG Strategy, which focuses on helping companies, nonprofits, universities, business leaders and celebrities thrive in today’s media landscape. The agency specializes in strategic communications, earned media, crisis communications, litigation support, reputation management, SEO, digital advertising, social media management and website design. Before joining Sitrick in 2016, Pfeifer spent 15 years as a legal and business reporter at the Los Angeles Times, where he part of team of reporters awarded the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news coverage. Fern, who was director of Sitrick’s digital practice, is co-founder of Dunigan Fern Media Partners, a boutique advertising agency, and a former vice president of Premiere Networks and iHeart Media. “The digital and online component of our services, combined with our traditional strategic communications and earned media support, makes our firm one-of-a-kind,” said Fern.
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Press Record Communications teams up with Crisis Ready Institute, which helps leaders and their teams cultivate the right mindset, skillset and capabilities to handle incidents that threaten a business’s operations, reputation and/or bottom line. The strategic partnership will provide internal communications education, as well as internal and external communications services. Press Record Communications will incorporate Crisis Ready Institute’s internal communications expertise and services into the communications campaigns it develops for clients. Press Record clients will also gain access to Crisis Ready Institute experts and receive discounts to its courses and events. “The Institute avoids generic crisis preparedness strategies and education, which will only benefit our clients’ work to foster trust internally and build thriving and sustainable businesses that withstand the test of time,” said Press Record Communications founder and lead strategist Justin Goldstein.
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Blakeney, a London-based strategic communications and public affairs consultancy, joins forces with Global Situation Room, which specializes in counter-crisis management, thought leadership and global strategies. GSR, which is based in Washington, DC and Los Angeles, CA, is led by Brett Bruen, who served as director of global engagement in the Obama administration, and Johanna Maska, who was director of press advance in the Obama White House. “Having such an experienced and connected team in North America has already proved valuable for our clients and we look forward to working with Brett and the team to grow our respective brands either side of the Atlantic,” said Blakeney managing partner, Michael Pooley. Blakeney supports organizations, challenger brands, start-ups, and public figures with communication strategy, public affairs, reputation management and digital engagement.
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. 
Fire on the Hill, which has offices in London, Manchester, New York and Paris, is providing pro bono communications support to the Intergenerational Foundation, the UK's leading authority on intergenerational fairness... The PRSA-NY Big Apple Awards Gala on Sept. 17 will have Gio Benitez, co-anchor of the weekend edition of “Good Morning America” and ABC News transportation correspondent, serving as emcee... CasePR, a boutique litigation communications firm, launches in Portland, OR.
inFocus, which works with entertainment, media and innovation brands in the US Hispanic market and Latin America, expands into Mexico... Modern Currency Public Relations, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2027, launches an AI visibility & generative engine optimization practice... Adfactors PR, India’s largest reputation and critical issues advisory, acquires Australian communication consultancy SenateSHJ.
