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ASTRSK PR’s 6th Annual Pro-Bono PR search is accepting applications now through April 15. The selected winner of the contest, which is aimed at raising the profile of underrepresented founders and their companies in the media, will receive one year of public relations services from the agency, valued at over $200,000. To qualify, applicants must be: a woman and/or a BIPOC, AAPI, LGBTQIA+ founder; an “early stage” startup that has not raised more than $1.5M in funding and a consumer-facing brand (no B2B solutions or offerings). The winner is selected by the ASTRSK team and judges including Marlon Nichols, founding managing partner at MaC Venture Capital; Shanté Cosme, chief content officer at Global Press Journal and former editor-in-chief at Mic.; and Refinery29 senior editor Hannah Rimm, Senior Editor at Refinery29. To date, ASTRSK has awarded over $1 million dollars in pro bono PR to underrepresented founders.
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Press Hook, a tech-enabled media relations platform connecting brands and journalists, launches its AI Media List Generator. Leveraging the machine learning algorithms from GPT-4, the generator allows PR professionals to pinpoint and target the most relevant journalists and media outlets. “With our powerful machine learning techniques and early access to GPT-4, we provide our clients with a comprehensive solution, saving them valuable time and resources,” said Press Hool founder Michelle Songy. Press Hook also provides such AI capabilities as AI pitches, press release generators and AI source requests.
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The 2023 IPREX Annual Global Conference was held March 1-3 in New Delhi. The conference, attended by more than 25 partners and guests from across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States, discussed topics such as the emergence and adoption of AI within the communications field, the importance of leading with trust in organizations of any size, and best practices in cross-cultural communication between Indian and Western markets and brands. “The 40th anniversary conference took place during the March G20 Summit events also happening in New Delhi and was a perfect moment for our delegates to experience the start of India’s G20 presidency as the country aims to modernize to build a greener future for itself and the world,” said IPREX global president Julie Exner. From May 17-19, leaders from IPREX agencies will join in Kansas City for its International Leadership Development Conference.
Brunner, a Pittsburgh-based integrated marketing agency, acquires AdSkate, an AI-powered creative analytics and marketing intelligence platform that helps brands and agencies optimize advertising performance... Augustine Agency launches Flavor Theory, a foodservice marketing practice aimed at helping restaurants, food manufacturers, distributors and institutional dining organizations grow their brands and businesses... The Acceleration Community of Companies releases a report finding that almost half (49 percent) of Gen Z sports fans say they have become interested in a new sport or athlete because of fan-created content or something entirely outside the sport. 
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.
