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Kismet Group, an Australian private equity group, acquires Media.com, an internet domain that will equip users with text, video and audio-based capabilities to publish their stories, communicate their views and confront misconceptions. Unlike social networks, which are advertiser-driven, Media.com is a subscription-based network, enabling profile holders to have “clear air” to express their views. The company’s decision to disallow comments means users can tell their stories and state their position without harassment or objection. “The Media.com network is critical and timely for protecting society from the harm caused by misinformation, especially considering today's fragmented and increasingly divisive media landscape where clickbait, polarized news, and engagement-reliant social platforms can dramatically affect anyone’s reputation.” said Media.com CEO and founder James Mawhinney.
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Elev8 New Media, which specializes in securing media and press coverage for its clients, launches an influencer marketing division. The new division’s services will include influencer strategy development, influencer identification, campaign execution, measurement and analytics, and compliance guidance. “With the launch of our influencer marketing division, we are excited to harness the power of influencer marketing to help our clients connect with their target audiences on a more personal level,” said Elev8New Media co-founder and CEO Jessica Starman.
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Ripley PR, an agency specializing in home service and building trades, franchising, B2B technology and manufacturing public relations, is named PR Agency of the Year in the Southeast United States by the Corporate LiveWire Prestige Awards for 2023-2024.The awards, which recognize small and medium-sized businesses, are based on factors including a nominee’s service excellence, innovative practices, ethical or sustainable methods of working, and consistency in performance. “We’re delighted to have been chosen during our 10th anniversary as the Southeast’s PR agency of the year by an association that truly values small and mid-sized businesses,” said Ripley PR founder and CEO Heather Ripley.
Fire on the Hill, and Fourth Day, along with its sister company Quatrième Jour, are merging... 5W publishes a study that says many long-time media heavy hitters are coming up short in terms of their AI influence... EducationDynamics, a higher education marketing and enrollment management company, acquires Net Natives... Mark Allen & Co. is launching an expanded thought leadership model with multiple activations at Cannes Lions 2026. 
4media group acquires The CauseWay Agency, a purpose-driven communications agency specializing in public service announcements... Featured, an AI co-pilot for PR, launches a platform that will allow PR professionals and subject-matter experts to find media opportunities, submit pitches, and land featured placements... IPREX, a global network of independent communications and marketing agencies, brings on Heidi Otway of SalterMitchell PR in Florida as global president.
Montieth & Company introduces M&Co Litigation Intelligence... BERA.ai, a brand measurement platform that ties brand equity to revenue and business growth, introduces BERA LLM Brand Rankings... Matter launches its PR Media Group.
PRSA adds author and branding expert Sally Hogshead and three-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning journalist and entrepreneur Gaby Natale to the keynote lineup for ICON 2026, its annual conference for public relations and communications professionals... Publicity for Good founder and CEO Heather Holmes releases “Seen by AI, Found by Customers”... 5W AI Communications publishes “The 5W Retrieval Index — Volume I: The AI Retrieval Economy, 2026.
Edelman launches Edelman Intelligence, bringing together the firm’s proprietary AI solutions, data science, research, analytics and predictive intelligence capabilities into a unified organization... Havas Paris is acquiring Format, an agency specializing in next‑generation corporate influence communications... Trevelino/Keller launches Exec-AI, a solution aimed at demonstrating the power of executive visibility across generative AI platforms as well as measuring an executive's contributing visibility lift on the companies they lead.
