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| Beth Wilson |
Memphis-based Caissa Public Strategy and Wilson Public Relations merge to form the largest and most comprehensive public relations agency in the city. Caissa Public Strategy provides strategic counsel, public affairs, public school services and crisis management capabilities, while Wilson PR is known for its expertise in media relations and strategic communications. Wilson PR founder Beth Wilson will come on board as a partner and board member at Caissa, in addition to leading the combined firm’s newly formed public relations division as president of Wilson PR. She serves alongside Adrian Bond, president of Caissa K-12 (the agency’s education division); Caissa Public Strategy president and co-founder Paige Walkup; and Caissa CEO and co-founder Brian Stephens. “This merger allows us to expand the scope of services we offer and maximize client impact, putting Memphis on the map alongside companies in larger metropolitan areas – while maintaining an intimate and familiar relationship with the challenges and opportunities of the local community,” said Stephens.
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| Christine Baratta |
Global Situation Room launches Situation Room Studios, a new division that will develop policy shows with the backing of companies, foundations and organizations. Situation Room Studios will be led by Christine Baratta, who joined GSR in April from Bloomberg. Intended to allow the firm to significantly expand its output, the launch also follows hire of RJ Bee, who has run the podcast company Osiris Media. The next production from Situation Room Studios will be Press Advance with Johanna Maska, which will be hosted by GSR chief executive officer Johanna Maska. “In our experience, the podcasts that often make the most news and reach the largest audiences are not being made by news outlets,” said GSR founder and president Brett Bruen. “Instead, it’s those that tell the most authentic stories and uplift trusted voices that unearth new insights while truly beginning to drive conversations forward.”
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West Wing Writers, which specializes in strategic communications, messaging and speechwriting, is now owned by its employees, through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. “Every employee here contributes to the successful work we do with our clients—and now every employee will share in that success,” said Jeff Shesol, one of the firm’s founders and executive directors. Kate Childs Graham, who rejoined the firm last year after serving as director of speechwriting for Vice President Kamala Harris, and Annie Farber, a seasoned communications strategist, join Shesol, Jonas Kieffer, Vinca LaFleur, Paul Orzulak and Ben Yarrow as executive directors. The firm, with nearly 50 writers and communications professionals, has also unveiled a new website and logo.
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| Lisa Vetrone |
Scenario Communications, which has offices in Los Angeles, Nashville and New York, launches a digital marketing division. Led by account director Lisa Vetrone, the new division will provide a range of services to clients, including omnichannel social media marketing and management, paid social media advertising, content creation and creative direction, and influencer relations. Prior to joining Scenario, Vetrone oversaw the social media and creative departments at Colangelo PR.
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.
Karsh Hagan and Madden Media join forces as KHM... Endeavor Communications opens an office in the Harbor Point neighborhood of Stamford, CT... Big Red Oak, a Toronto-based communications firm, and D.C. area-based PA firm New Hill Consulting have launched a joint service exclusively for companies in the nuclear energy sector... The Pollack Group has partnered with Brandi AI, a platform for enterprise brand intelligence, AI visibility and Generative Engine Optimization.
Real Chemistry acquires Spurwing Communications, which advises pharmaceutical and healthcare organizations—as well as clients across a broader range of industries—throughout APAC... 5W AI Communications (5WPR) is moving its headquarters from New York to Florida (Miami, Tampa)... Valence Communications, which will focus on biopharmaceutical companies, launches under Matt Middleman, who was founder and CEO at LifeSci Communications.
Moburst, which specializes in digital marketing and AI-powered solutions, acquires Amazon marketing agency Hyperzon... The Public Relations Global Network launches its Health Practice Group, which brings together more than 20 independent agencies across four continents to support health care, life sciences and pharma organizations... ICR’s newly released Q2 2026 SPAC Market Update & Outlook shows a healthy environment for IPOs... Red Banyan, a senior-level crisis management, litigation PR, and reputation management firm, makes its first appearance in the Chambers and Partners listings.
