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McKinney, a Durham, NC-based creative and media agency with primary offices in Dallas, Los Angeles, New York and Phoenix, acquires influencer marketing agency August United, which was previously owned by holding company Audacious Studios. McKinney will also acquire Tailwind, the performance media arm of Audacious Studios, with the goal of bolstering its integrated offering. M&A advisors TobinLeff identified the opportunity and advised McKinney on the acquisition. “Influencer marketing is becoming a more integral part of our clients’ marketing plans,” said McKinney CEO Joe Maglio. “Micro and mid-tier influencers in particular – August United’s focus area – have been shown to drive significant engagement and impact purchase decisions, and I’m excited to bring this expertise to our client partners.”
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| Paul Miser |
5W Public Relations is launching a digital agency, HOW, as a stand-alone, wholly-owned subsidiary of the firm. HOW will be led by executive VP, digital, Paul Miser, who was hired in November 2022 to spearhead the expansion of 5W’s existing digital business. Its capabilities will span strategy, analytics, content, technical and paid campaigns. The new agency is already working with a variety of clients, including both independent digital and integrated digital and communications programs, spanning consumer and B2B. “For us, it all comes down to how — how you assemble, integrate, and operationalize the complex moving parts of today’s digital ecosystem to spark and create growth for brands,” said Miser.
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EverService Holdings, picks up RYNO Strategic Solutions, a digital marketing solutions provider specializing in the home services industry. EverService says that adding RYNO’s digital marketing expertise to its portfolio will enable its clients to reach new customers, increase their online visibility and grow their businesses more efficiently. “This marks a significant milestone in the company’s growth trajectory,” said EverService CEO Jeff Mosler. “This acquisition is part of EverService’s ongoing efforts to expand our suite of services and deliver maximum value to our customers.”
Ever Wondered, a London-based advisory firm focused on helping companies deliver clear, consistent messages across every channel in AI search, launches... The Museum of Public Relations launches platform that allows users to connect with an AI persona of Edward Bernays, based entirely on his own writings... PRGN releases a study in which 89 percent of business leaders surveyed said hey find brand influence as “extremely” or “very” important.
BGR Analytics rates Texas as the best state for AI investors to place their money, according to its newly launched BGR Best States for AI Investment Index... Pierpont Communications, a PR and integrated digital marketing agency headquartered in Houston, expands into South Florida... The Pollack Group names Project Petals as the recipient of its 2026 Big Red Grant.
LaVoie Strategic Communications Group launches an integrated market platform and redesigned website meant to reflect the agency’s evolving role advising healthcare, life sciences and government organizations... Highwire publishes “Passing the Torch: A Framework for CEO Transition Communication for Professional Services Businesses"... Auris, a communications lab backed by a strategic investment from Helios & Partners, launches.
MikeWorldWide acquires HudsonLake, a strategic communications firm specializing in organizational change, employee experience and workforce communications.
AKCG – Public Relations Counselors, a Philadelphia-area firm that offers crisis planning, crisis management, media training and media relations, acquires Hennes Communications... The Martin Group, an integrated marketing communications firm headquartered in Buffalo, acquires creative, brand strategy and content studio Mr. Smith Agency... ExpertClick, a platform connecting journalists with qualified interview sources, is offering a database of 357 top U.S. media outlets.
