 |
TiiCKER, a shareholder loyalty and engagement platform founded by Lambert chairman Jeff Lambert, closes on a $5 million seed funding round, led by Baysore Advisory Group, Red Cedar Ventures, and Flipturn Ventures. The TiiCKER financing is earmarked for new talent and technology, including software and new product development, expanded partnerships with brokerages and other retail investor platforms, enhanced AI technology for improved direct-to-shareholder marketing tools, and sales and developer talent to keep pace with user and client growth. The platform, which completed its first pre-seed funding round in July 2021, says it had a record 2022, delivering a 119 percent increase in registered users and a 140 percent increase in total retail stock holdings connected on the TiiCKER platform. “Shareholder loyalty is what’s next in affinity marketing, and we’re excited to put this capital to work in B2B and B2C campaigns that show the win-win of shareholder perks,” said TiiCKER chief marketing officer Kanan Banerjee.
 |
| Laura Crompton |
Hopscotch, a Paris-based communications group with 34 offices worldwide, sets up Hopscotch USA in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles office, which will be headed up by business director Laura Crompton. Crompton most recently served as business director at Hopscotch Sopexa London, and previously worked at Hopscotch Europe from 2012 to 2016. She has also led W Communications’ retail & consumer tech division and the Manchester office of Frank. “The demand from American clients and prospects has continued to increase over recent years,” said Hopscotch Groupe co-founder Fréderic Bedin, who is also president of its management board. “We have already established very strong NYC and Montreal capabilities with Sopexa-Hopscotch, in particular in food and drink marketing. Reinforcing our presence on the West Coast to deliver generalist, full-service PR was the next logical step”.
 |
The Lisbon International Advertising Festivals Group, which now includes the Lisbon AD, Lisbon Health and Lisbon PR awards, is accepting entries for its eighth edition from now until August 8. There is a special opening discount of 35 percent on all entries until May 8. The awards ceremony will take place on September 18. This year’s awards will also bring back Young Lisbon, which provides young communications with a showcase for their talents. Judges for the awards include Rodger Beekman, creative director Europe at Monstarlab; Eva Santos Bouzas, CCO and founder of Delirio & Twain; Luís Silva Dias, chief creative officer at FCB International; Sara Fatima Koraishy, business director - Inviqa | HAVAS Group; and Gabriel Augusto, director at FLAG.
IPREX names Big Picture PR in San Fransico, Precision Strategies in Washington, D.C., and Tiny Mighty Communications in Nashville as its first Americas Partner Cohort... Highwire launches AcroAnswers, a proprietary AI visibility platform... Big Red Oak and Naer Communications, a Calgary-based firm, form a partnership providing integrated communications and marketing services to clean energy companies and organizations across Canada.
Matter launches its Review Visibility Management service to address a shift in how companies across verticals earn trust online... A Queens school is putting out the message about Sept. 12, 2001 when people came together to help, comfort, rebuild and unite... Directive expands its Directive Communications division, which will bring PR, organic social, influencer marketing and paid social together under one integrated organization.
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. 
