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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.”
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. 
