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Markets EQ, a conversational AI platform, introduces an AI tonal recognition technology intended to evaluate and actively enhance executive communications. The company says that the platform is the first to make advanced tonal recognition analysis available to IR professionals and investors. Tonal recognition technology analyzes voice tonality and identifies emotional cues such as happiness, sadness, anger, or excitement—providing insight into a management team’s emotional and psychological states during earnings calls and other speaking engagements. “For the first time, IROs and investors can gauge not just what is being said, but the underlying confidence and certainty behind these statements, ushering in a new era of transparency and sophistication in corporate communication," said Markets EQ CEO Sean Austin.
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| Renee Rossi, Matt Jaffe |
Bleecker & Broad, a NY-based PR and communications consulting firm that will focus on investment funds, is launched by Relativity Ventures CEO and founder Renee Rossi, who has served in senior roles at Allison+Partners and Weber Shandwick, and Relativity PR specialist Matt Jaffe. Rossi and Jaffe have worked with various stakeholders including private equity, strategic investors, accelerators, and venture funds including Techstars, Celesta Capital, VentureFuel, Starburst Accelerator, Starburst Ventures, Mach37 and Venturescope. The new firm says it works with “leading funds of all shapes and sizes to enhance their brand reputation and spread the impact of their investments.” It operates independently from Relativity.
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Unlock Health, a healthcare technology and services growth platform, acquires SPM Group, a network of health and healthcare agencies including SPM, GLC, Dreamscape and Centretek, from Corridor Capital, LLC, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition will provide Unlock with new in-house omnichannel media planning and buying capabilities and strengthen its services across digital media, content strategy and production, analytics, and creative specialties. "By combining SPM Group's unmatched marketing talent and expertise with our technology and managed care capabilities, we will become the leading, single-source partner for our shared network of clients across the healthcare ecosystem," said SPM Group CEO Amanda Seaford.
Brunner, a Pittsburgh-based integrated marketing agency, acquires AdSkate, an AI-powered creative analytics and marketing intelligence platform that helps brands and agencies optimize advertising performance... Augustine Agency launches Flavor Theory, a foodservice marketing practice aimed at helping restaurants, food manufacturers, distributors and institutional dining organizations grow their brands and businesses... The Acceleration Community of Companies releases a report finding that almost half (49 percent) of Gen Z sports fans say they have become interested in a new sport or athlete because of fan-created content or something entirely outside the sport. 
VPE Communications, which helps organizations authentically connect with diverse audiences, celebrates 38 years in business and announces a new ownership structure... Praytell expands into the Asian market with the opening of a new office in Singapore... The International Public Relations Network unveils a new visual identity and redesigned website. 
SourceCode Communications launches SourceCode Germany, establishing the agency's first office in continental Europe... Clario Group acquires Ted Miller Group, a Miami-founded agency focused on clients in the technology, travel & leisure and financial services sectors... Global Situation Room’s Global Risk Advisory Council is hosting a July 23 webinar that will go over the results of its new Reputation Risk Index.
Havas acquires MUT, a Barcelona-based firm focused on experiential marketing and sustainable events... IPREX lauches its AI Task Force...D S Simon Media, one of the first companies to produce a satellite media tour, celebrates its 40th anniversary... Washington Women in Public Relations is sponsoring an event that shows communications pros who work with associations how they can get their messages across clearly, credibly and courageously. “How Associations Lead with Strategic Storytelling,” at 6 p.m. on July 16.
TEAM LEWIS starts up its AI Practice... Thunderly launches a year-long storytelling campaign focused on how franchising can provide a pathway to business ownership... JIN, a European communications consulting group, introduces "AI Campaigning", a corporate offering designed to model and anticipate stakeholder behavior.
