Beth Wilson
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.

Christine Baratta
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.”

West Wing

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.

Lisa Vetrone
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.