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D S Simon Media launches Metaverse 3.0, which provides Metaverse broadcast services specifically for the PR industry. The new offering’s services include metaverse press conferences, trade shows and events from within the D S Simon Media Metaverse. It can also broadcast live video into a clients’ metaverse or build a custom metaverse for clients. The launch of the service was a response to a survey which found that 45 percent of PR executive were planning to complete projects in the metaverse this year. Of those, 71 percent are creating metaverse environments, 67 percent are conducting B2B events and 43% are broadcasting video into the metaverse—a number the company expects will increase. “While we hear about metaverse environments that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars or millions, Metaverse 3.0 events can be completed for far less and still bring accessibility, engagement, and personal interaction at the highest level,” said D S Simon Media CEO Doug Simon.
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Alpha IR Group, an independent consultancy that works with investment brands, launches a new subsidiary, Alpha Advisory Group. Created by Alpha IR founder Chris Hodges, the new unit is focused on helping C-Suite leaders build and enhance their reputations among all critical corporate influencers, including investors, customers, employees, policymakers and other key stakeholders. Former Golin executives Tim Peters and Dave Duschene have joined Alpha Advisory Group as operating partners, working alongside Hodges and agency president Mike Cummings. Peters most recently served as U.S. leader for Golin’s corporate practice and Duschene led Golin’s issues & crisis practice. “Traditional PR firms are increasingly challenged to deliver the right specialties and capabilities in one place to navigate the obstacles today’s corporate brands must overcome,” Peters said. “Alpha Advisory Group has the talent and experience to guide C-Suites with holistic strategic counsel to drive their corporate reputations and investment brands forward.”
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Escalent, data analytics firm, acquires customer insight, strategy and innovation agency C Space and market research firm Hall & Partners from Omnicom. Clients will continue to work with the same teams, and there are no near-term plans to change company locations or merge brand identities. C Space CEO Jessica DeVlieger and Hall & Partners CEO Tim Wragg will continue to lead their organizations as part of Escalent CEO Melissa Sauter’s executive leadership team. “Together the companies create a fantastic combination of depth of expertise with scale and growth capability, while still being focused on one shared core mission. As such, the combined organization will continue to differentiate with their clients through exceptional insights and partnership,” said J.T. Treadwell, managing director at STG, Escalent’s financial sponsor.
The PHA Group, which has offices in London, Manchester and Leeds, is expanding to New York... The Next Solutions Group launches NSG Health... Rational 360, a DC-based firm, has relocated to an 18,000-square-foot space on the city’s K Street business corridor... KAOH Media, a firm specializing in clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, and ESG-driven investments, launches Fieldwise Civic Engagement.
SKDK merges with digital advertising firm Wavelength Strategy... Supreme Group launches Supreme Intelligence, an artificial intelligence platform designed to meet the commercial needs of healthcare and life sciences companies... Relevance International introduces Artificial Intelligence Amplification Optimization, a proprietary service designed to help brands create a competitive advantage for AI visibility... IMAGINE PR introduces a brand partnerships division, which will focus on ensuring that partnerships are meaningful and measurable, rather than transactional.
SourceCode Communications acquires Rally Point Public Relations... Ruder Finn launches its AI Accelerator, a set of tools and capabilities that will be embedded across client work, agency workflows, and talent recruitment and development, as a way of building AI-native expertise across disciplines... Ceisler Media & Issue Advocacy, a communications, media strategy and public relations firm, is merging with Athena Global Advisors. 
MikeWorldWide launches a supply chain, logistics, and infrastructure practice... Kroll introduces two practices: Kroll Economics and Decision Intelligence... Orange Orchard founder Heather Ripley is hosting a free 60-minute live masterclass on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. EST to help animal sanctuaries earn meaningful earned media coverage and turn that visibility into stronger community support.
Stagwell agencies Doner and Colle McVoy form a “strategic alliance” that will operate as DonerColle Partners... Merryman Communications, a healthcare marketing and communications agency, rebrands as M+... Crowe PR launches Crowe Media platform... Tauth Labs, which provides content authentication solutions for clients in the communications, financial services and local government sectors, has been certified by the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity.
