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| Jon Cook, Mel Edwards |
WPP merges Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R into a combined entity known as VML, which it says will be the industry’s largest creative company, with more than 30,000 people in 64 markets. The new company will be operational from Jan. 1, 2024. VMLY&R global CEO Jon Cook takes the same post at the new unit and Wunderman Thompson global CEO Mel Edwards will be VML global president, and the broader management team will bring together leaders from across both companies. Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R have previously partnered globally across clients such as Colgate- Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé and The Coca-Cola Company. “Separately, Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R are two of WPP’s strongest and best-performing agencies,” said WPP CEO Mark Read. “Together, they will deliver an even wider, fully integrated suite of capabilities to our clients in every market.”
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FGS Global forms a partnership with Drury Communications, an Irish strategic communications and public affairs consultancy. The partnership gives FGS Global clients access to services in Ireland across financial communications, public affairs & regulatory and campaigning, while providing Drury and its clients access to FGS Global’s team of more 1,200 communications experts in 27 offices around the world. Drury will continue to operate under its own brand and identity, while the new relationship has no impact on the independent company’s leadership or ownership structures. “Our partnership with Drury further strengthens our global footprint. Drury has extensive experience advising at the very highest levels of corporate and public affairs in Ireland, and a capability in financial communications that is unmatched in the Irish market,” said Faeth Birch, CEO of FGS Global's UK and EMEA regions.
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Cision launches CisionOne, a media monitoring and outreach solution, in the US, following a launch in the UK in July 2023. In addition to providing PR and comms professionals with live, in-depth media insights, CisionOne will have offer exclusive access to paywalled content including the Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, MarketWatch, Investor’s Business Daily, the New York Times and Dow Jones Newswires. Powered by artificial intelligence, CisionOne focuses on letting users identify stories that impact brands and reveal the genuine intent behind people’s words.
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| Nicole Swickle |
Honest Interactions, a creative communications and management agency, is launched by Nicole Swickle, who was previously senior manager, communications at Red Bull Media House. Swickle has also handled brand storytelling, talent management and PR strategy at such companies as ESPN and PUMA. The new agency is working clients with including NASA and MIT, as well as NFL players, astronauts and World Champion Kayakers.
The Worldcom Public Relations Group adds Baltimore’s Abel Communications and Rochester, NY’s McDougall Communications to its partnership... Ironmark acquires Deliver Media and L & D Mail Masters... Davis+Gilbert’s Public Relations Industry M&A Activity Tracker reveals a slowdown in M&A deal activity this year. 
Barabino & Partners, Italy’s largest corporate communications firm, joins Excellera Advisory Group, the country’s biggest corporate affairs advisory group... Abel Communications launches "Expertise, Amplified," an on-demand thought leadership program... 160/90 partners with social fintech platform Lumanu to introduce Integrated Creator Commerce, an offering within its creator, digital and social practice. 
Avoq’s survey of more than 200 D.C. insiders uncovers a sea change in their media choices... Muck Rack, a PR management platform, teams up with Help Every Reporter Out... D S Simon Media conducted a recent study that says, by largely steering clear of political coverage, local TV news stations have become a surprisingly welcoming environment for brands and non-profits.
A survey from Matter Communications found that nearly all healthcare marketers (94.4 percent) are currently working with a PR/marketing agency... PAN Communications launches a new website and branding... Semaphore Communications of Cape Town comes on board as a member of IPREX....LAVIDGE managing director Dave Nobs joins the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication Endowment Board of Trustees.
Mod Op, a digital marketing agency, acquires brand strategy, package design & integrated marketing agency LAM Design... Warren Green & Associates is adding public relations to its services by partnering with Trip Whisperer Agency... The Pollack Group awards its Noemi Pollack Scholarship for the 2024-2025 school year to Sophie Schaked, a rising sophomore at The USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
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