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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.”
Mark Allen & Co. acquires Alban Communications, establishing its first Miami office... Buchalter, a business law firm, launches a crisis management and strategic response group... 5W PR expands its beauty practice to include TikTok Shop-aligned PR campaigns and creator amplification strategies.
Caster Communications is acquired by long-time agency leaders Alexandra Crabb and Peter Girard... DiGennaro Communications launches The Authority Studio, a freestanding content strategy and production offering... The Brandman Agency, which specializes in luxury travel and lifestyle, rebrands as Brandman.
Public Inc., a social impact agency based in Toronto and New York, acquires Rocket Social Impact, an advisory firm that works with nonprofit and corporate social impact organizations... Ruder Finn launches “What’s Next: The Ruder Finn Podcast,” a new platform hosted by CEO Kathy Bloomgarden... Crowe PR joins United Partners Network, a network of independent PR agencies with members across more than 65 markets worldwide.
Ruder Finn launches rf.Voices, an integrated influence offering that brings together AI-powered influencer marketing, customer advocacy and paid amplification under one measurable framework... The Pollack Group is accepting applications through March 31 for The Big Red Grant, a $40,000 pro bono strategic PR and marketing engagement program awarded to a nonprofit organization ready for growth... D S Simon Media releases a report that says almost seven in ten producers (68 percent) are more interested in airing a story when they know it has been optimized for AI.
Precision Strategies, an integrated strategy and marketing agency with offices in Washington and New York, acquires Firehouse Strategies, a DC-based public affairs firm... AVENIR GLOBAL acquires London-based Thinks Insight & Strategy... Good Company, which bills itself as a “cultural engineering firm,” is launched by DJ Hardy, a veteran of Johannesburg-based communications consultancy arxna and M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment and Casey Stickles, who has worked at 5WPR, Rubenstein and MWW.
