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Karbo Communications launches an AI practice, which will provide clients with customizable communications and digital marketing solutions designed to help them own the AI narrative. The agency has worked with AI innovators from startups to billion-dollar brands over the last 25 years, giving it deep experience and perspective on the needs of AI-focused companies. The experience of the agency’s team members includes working with such brands as Nvidia, IBM Watson, Meta, Penguin, Cornelis Networks and AppDynamics. Karbo has also developed a comprehensive AI Blueprint, which includes AI guidelines, a code of ethics, plus best practices for the use of AI tools and workflows in PR, content development and digital marketing. “Our AI Practice is purpose-built to tackle the unique challenges AI companies face today and tomorrow and deliver new customers, partners, funding and staff,” said Karbo Communications CEO and founder Julie Karbo.
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Ruder Finn unveils rf.engage, its global center of excellence for strategic internal communications and engagement. The agency says that internal engagements now account for close to 20 percent of its global client portfolio. The new unit is headed by Ruder Finn’s London office managing director, Nick Leonard, reporting to CEO Kathy Bloomgarden. EVPs Trish Nicolas and Jem Gregory will be part of the senior team. rf.engage brings together the company’s strategic internal communications, change management and employee engagement expertise to help businesses connect their people to strategy, goals, and purpose in fast-changing, diverse, and distributed working environments, and ensure internal and external activities are aligned. “The way employees interact with their employer and each other has changed forever,” said Bloomgarden. “Stronger employee engagement efforts are critical to building a world class culture in today’s much changed environment.”
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Ballantines PR launches a brand refresh designed by J.Burks Studio. The new design pays homage to the agency’s beginnings as part of Ballantines Hotel, a mid-century modern hotel in Palm Springs owned and operated by BPR founder and president Sarah Robarts. The hotel, a gathering place for creatives and connectors, grew into a business with influence across industry verticals. Headquartered in West Hollywood with offices expanding into New York City, San Francisco, Miami and London, BPR works with clients in sectors including luxury, sports, tech, entertainment, hospitality and the arts. Clients recently added to the agency’s roster include The Aster, a new private members-only club.
MMGY and Las Vegas-based R&R partners are joining forces under parent company MMGY Global... HarrisQuest, the brand and reputation intelligence platform from The Harris Poll, launches HarrisQuest MCP (Model Context Protocol), which lets users easily connect an AI assistant to external data and tools... Curious Orange, a Dublin-based firm that offers strategy, creative design, digital performance marketing, and AI-enabled workflows, launches Curious Orange Live, a dedicated live experiential marketing agency.
The Messina Group is rebranding as Fortius Global and opening an office in London. Jim Messina, who launched the firm in 2013 after serving as campaign manager for Obama for America, will serve as CEO of Fortius Global and continue to set the vision, strategy, and execution for Fortius and its companies... The New York Chapter of the National Investor Relations Institute names the new members of its NextGen Committee for the 2026-2027 term... Billion Dollar Boy, a social and influencer marketing agency with offices in New York and London, acquires Santa Monica, CA-headquartered Creator Authority.
Slowey McManus Communications is receiving a majority stake investment from Adi Sarosa, founder and managing partner of AA24 Communications... Seven Letter, a Washington, D.C.-based bipartisan strategic communications and public affairs firm, marks its 20th anniversary... Jack Morton launches a new global brand identity.
Peregrine, which specializes in asset and wealth management, adds a Los Angeles office to its locations in New York and London... The Dilenschneider Group, which was founded by Hill & Knowlton CEO Robert Dilenschneider, marks 35 years in business... Meltwater launches Intelligence is Always in Style, a marketing campaign based on a short-film series starring actress Kim Cattrall.
53Six, a Dublin- and London-based sports marketing agency, is acquired by Irish experience and entertainment group FUEL... Blue Highway Advisory releases a report that looks at how the shift from CEO to AI has changed the way in which consumers access information, and offers advice on how to handle the new landscape... Get Engaged, whose services include campaign ideation, social media management, influencer marketing, celebrity partnerships, content production and paid media, joins SAMY, a social-first agency headquartered in Madrid. 
