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Ruder Finn acquires Pandan Social, a digital marketing agency based in Malaysia and serving the Asia market. The Pandan Social team will be seamlessly integrated with Ruder Finn’s digital arm, RFI Asia. Pandan will continue to provide a suite of comprehensive digital services, including social media management, web production, graphics, video production and influencer marketing. With the acquisition, Ruder Finn Asia now has 26 offices across the region. “By harnessing the creative energies and expertise of both our teams, we are set to redefine the standards of digital marketing and communications, offering unprecedented value to our clients, and setting a new benchmark for our competitors,” said Elan Shou, global chief growth officer, and managing director of Ruder Finn Asia.
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Dolphin Entertainment picks up Special Projects, an agency specializing in talent booking, creative content, and event production. Special Projects will continue to operate under its own name, with founders Andrea Oliveri and Nicole Vecchiarelli remaining as co-CEOs. Its entire senior leadership team will also stay with Dolphin, which includes PR firms 42West, Shore Fire Media and The Door, influencer marketing agency The Digital Department, and content studio Viewpoint Creative. Among the agency’s clients are A24, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Apple TV+, the Apollo Theater, Amazon, Bumble, Bustle Digital Group and Chanel. "Ideating and executing world-class events is a big part of Dolphin's future, and adding Special Projects immediately catapults us into the industry-leading position,” said Dolphin Entertainment founder and CEO Bill O'Dowd.
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| Eric Cavoli, Amanda Mueller, Tony Cashman |
CashmanKatz, a Glastonbury, CT-based digital and marketing communications firm, marks its 30th anniversary. Led by original founding CEO Tony Cashman, the firm has increased its revenue by an estimated 25 percent annually over the last three years, offering services that include advertising, public relations, digital and social media, media planning and buying, research and branding, content creation and video/audio production services from a 15,000-square-foot facility. In addition to Cashman, current agency principals are partner and SVP creative director Eric Cavoli, and partner and SVP of client service Amanda Mueller. The agency’s clients have included CT Department of Transportation, BIC, Mylanta, Yankee Candle and Foxwoods Resort & Casino.
IPREX names Big Picture PR in San Francisco, Precision Strategies in Washington, D.C., and Tiny Mighty Communications in Nashville as its first Americas Partner Cohort... Highwire launches AcroAnswers, a proprietary AI visibility platform... Big Red Oak and Naer Communications, a Calgary-based firm, form a partnership providing integrated communications and marketing services to clean energy companies and organizations across Canada.
Matter launches its Review Visibility Management service to address a shift in how companies across verticals earn trust online... A Queens school is putting out the message about Sept. 12, 2001 when people came together to help, comfort, rebuild and unite... Directive expands its Directive Communications division, which will bring PR, organic social, influencer marketing and paid social together under one integrated organization.
Praytell expands its Influence Department—which unites media, creators and social under one team... LRJ PR & Communications and Canopy Brand Group form an alliance that the firms say will bridge the operational divide between high-end brand design and strategic public relations... Twin Minds Media, Hispanic market specialist, increases the scope of its services in an effort to help brands build deeper connections with audiences through culture, storytelling, media and experiences. 
The People Platform, part of Stagwell's The Marketing Cloud, rebrands as Numetrix... Zapwater Communications has earned 17 finalist honors across two PR competitions: eight at the 68th Annual Golden Trumpet Awards, presented by the Publicity Club of Chicago, and nine at the 2026 PRSA Chicago Skyline Awards.. The Florida Public Relations Association presented 122 awards to individuals and teams from across the state at its 69th annual Golden Image and 3rd Annual Pinnacle Awards gala.
The Motion Agency acquires Vehr Communications, a Cincinnati-based strategic communications firm, effective Oct. 1... Lyceus Group, which specializes in financial services, is named a finalist for Public Relations Campaign at the 2026 ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Awards... IPSY, a curated beauty membership platform, launches IPSY Marketing Solutions, a full-funnel marketing and sales acceleration engine. 
