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| Qu Hong |
Zeno Group forms a partnership with Qu Hong, who was most recently head of BCW in China. Qu Hong will serve as founder and CEO of Zeno China Consulting, which will operate independently of Zeno’s current China operations. Ruby Fu, who remains as president of Zeno’s existing China business, will be a senior advisor to Zeno China Consulting. Before joining BCW, Qu Hong was chief consultant at the Beijing offices of Edelman and Weber Shandwick, and led public policy consulting at Burson-Marsteller China. He has also worked with China’s Ministry of Commerce. “Partnering with Qu Hong on this joint venture re-imagines the traditional agency model in China. Zeno China Consulting is well-positioned to lead new conversations and outcomes,” said Zeno CEO Barby Siegel.
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Hill+Knowlton Strategies launches its global Intelligence + Technology capability. Led by Grant Toups, Hill+Knowlton’s first global chief technology officer, the I+T group is comprised of 50+ technologists. The company has also partnered with Pendulum Intelligence, an AI and machine learning company, to codevelop products and services that address the evolving risk management needs of clients. The first of these is H+K Sonar, a tool built to address the commercial and reputation risk related to the rise of disinformation. The tool includes coverage of niche channels like Bitchute and Rumble, both of which have been recognized as breeding grounds of disinformation and malicious content. “We are developing an ecosystem of technology-based solutions drawing on data science, analytics and AI to drive our clients’ success and build resilience in the digital domain,” said H+K Strategies global chairman and CEO AnnaMaria DeSalva.
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Accenture agrees to acquire Stagwell subsidiary ConcentricLife, a healthcare marketing agency with expertise in helping life sciences brands build an optimal brand experience. The deal is intended to reinforce Accenture Song’s continued investment in creating end-to-end solutions for its life sciences clients. ConcentricLife’s team has subject-matter expertise in rare diseases, healthcare and wellness. “This transaction will enhance our ability to help our clients achieve this vision in addressing the challenges of tomorrow,” said ConcentricLife CEO Ken Begasse Jr. “With this combined talent of diverse thinking and experiences, we will extend our ability to solve new patient and provider challenges in high-impact areas including access, clinical trials, and patient services.”
PKPR, a New York-based boutique shop, launches a book publicity division focused on nonfiction authors... Palantir Technologies and Stagwell form a partnership to create an AI-driven platform for marketers... The Conference Board is presenting a Nov. 18-19 event at the Brooklyn Marriott that will look at the priorities, challenges and opportunities facing AI decision-makers today.
Gregory FCA is marking its 35th anniversary with a comprehensive rebrand... Madden Media, a Tucson-based agency, teams with Denver-based Karsh Hagan... Jasper, an AI content automation platform, launches Jasper Grid, an interface that allows marketing teams to create and orchestrate content across a range of channels, audiences and regions.
Sommerfield Communications, a corporate, financial, and crisis shop that was acquired by Allison Worldwide in early 2021, re-launches as an independently owned firm... D S Simon Media launches a broadcast media tour designed to enhance Generative Engine Optimization... The Public Relations Society of America’s ICON 2025 Conference brought together close to 2,100 in DC from Oct. 28-30.
CorpBridge Advisors is launched by Bob Christie (Brunswick and Alibaba Group veteran) and Russ Rubino (Nasdaq and Intercontinental Exchange/NYSE alum)... Golin marked its 30th anniversary in Miami with an Oct. 23 gathering that celebrated its new outpost in Coral Gables... The Notability Company debuted at the PRSA annual ICON Conference in Washington.
Padilla launches Padilla GEO 3D, a service that aims to improve generative AI search results for brands and organizations... Bader Rutter, a Milwaukee-based B2B marketing agency, unveils the Chef Advisory Network, an initiative designed to bring the voice of the kitchen into food company boardrooms... Dilenschneider Group founder and principal Robert Dilenschneider’s new book, Respect: How to Change the World One Interaction at a Time, was released on Oct. 28 by Wiley... Blue Highway Advisory and Blue Highway Global, founded by former Mercury Public Affairs managing director Ian McCaleb in 2022, rebrands.
