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APCO Worldwide acquires London-based financial communications firm Camarco. Camarco’s team of more than 40 client-facing experts and specialists join the APCO group of companies. APCO plans to leverage its global team to expand Camarco’s presence—anchored in London—to other leading financial centers around the world. “Camarco has a proven track record of helping clients—companies in the FTSE 100, FTSE 250, multi-national, European-listed and private companies—navigate complex stakeholder issues, risks and opportunities and execute business strategies that boost valuation,” said APCO chief executive officer Brad Staples. The acquisition of Camarco follows APCO’s purchase of Gagen MacDonald earler this month.
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WPP acquires Obviously, a technology-led social influencer marketing agency based in New York, with operations in San Francisco and Paris. Obviously’s team of nearly 100 people will join the network of WPP agency VMLY&R. The agency offers a full stack of end-to-end services, including marketing strategy, influencer identification, content creation, campaign management, and reporting and analysis, serving clients that include Google, Ford, Ulta Beauty and Amazon. “The Obviously team brings an exceptional range of global influencer marketing capabilities and a world-class technology platform that will further strengthen our offer to clients,” said WPP chief executive officer Mark Read.
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Glen Echo Group and BerlinRosen launch a joint European office in Amsterdam. The new office will offer a range of services that includes strategic communications, media relations, crisis management, public affairs and digital communications. It will be led by Glen Echo Group senior adviser Colin Bortner, along with BerlinRosen senior advisers Caroline Behringer and Michael Rabinowitz-Gold. Following BerlinRosen’s acquisition of Derris and its London office, this expansion is intended to strengthen the reach of all three firms throughout Europe. “We’ve navigated our clients through the beginnings of the Internet and we are committed to guide through the Internet’s next, important chapter, the center of which is the EU and UK,” said Glen Echo Group CEO and founder Maura Corbett. “Our new office in Amsterdam, led by a true tech policy veteran in Colin Bortner, is our commitment to that future.”
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.
