CyberRisk

CyberRisk Alliance, a business intelligence company serving cybersecurity clients, acquires LaunchTech Communications. LaunchTech, founded in 2015, creates communications strategies to build awareness and credibility among both technical and non-technical audiences for early-stage technology companies. LaunchTech founder and managing director Wayne Schepens will continue in his current capacity, with ongoing operating responsibility for the agency’s business strategy, operations and team. "The addition of LaunchTech to CRA’s portfolio will provide our clients new avenues to boost brand awareness, reach critical new audiences, bolster coverage and relationships with industry reporters and analysts, and increase valuation,” said CRA executive VP Marcus Witte.

FINN
Alise Sloan

FINN Partners and the Future Communicators Foundation award Alise Sloan the FINN Partners FCF Scholarship in Public Relations and Journalism at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. The scholarship fosters student research into communicating solutions and awareness around climate justice. Sloan won for her Love Earth Campaign, which educates the public about the dangers of plastic pollution in Florida while addressing the environmental deprivation that impacts the most vulnerable communities. Financially supported by FINN Partners, the $2500 FCF Scholarship is awarded annually to a senior undergraduate in public relations and journalism at FAMU. "FINN Partners is wholly committed to providing opportunities for students to advance their academic and professional development," said FINN global chief diversity officer Helen Shelton.

Penta

Penta, a comprehensive stakeholder solutions firm, launches its global artificial intelligence task force. The task force puts Penta’s data scientists side-by-side with public policy experts and strategists to provide clients with AI-powered capabilities as well as a deep understanding of an evolving regulatory framework. It will be co-led by Alberto Lopez-Valenzuela, senior partner, intelligence based in London, and Andrea Christianson, partner, strategy in Washington, DC and will draw on the expertise of Penta from around the world. Penta currently supports clients on the issue of generative AI through such services as message development and refinement, global regulatory landscape analyses, stakeholder mapping and vetting, media monitoring, and creative development and advertising. “Staying ahead means having a finger on the pulse of AI developments and creating thoughtful, flexible frameworks to understand and engage employees, political actors, customers, and investors,” said Christianson.