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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.
BGR Analytics rates Texas as the best state for AI investors to place their money, according to its newly launched BGR Best States for AI Investment Index... Pierpont Communications, a PR and integrated digital marketing agency headquartered in Houston, expands into South Florida... The Pollack Group names Project Petals as the recipient of its 2026 Big Red Grant.
LaVoie Strategic Communications Group launches an integrated market platform and redesigned website meant to reflect the agency’s evolving role advising healthcare, life sciences and government organizations... Highwire publishes “Passing the Torch: A Framework for CEO Transition Communication for Professional Services Businesses"... Auris, a communications lab backed by a strategic investment from Helios & Partners, launches.
MikeWorldWide acquires HudsonLake, a strategic communications firm specializing in organizational change, employee experience and workforce communications.
AKCG – Public Relations Counselors, a Philadelphia-area firm that offers crisis planning, crisis management, media training and media relations, acquires Hennes Communications... The Martin Group, an integrated marketing communications firm headquartered in Buffalo, acquires creative, brand strategy and content studio Mr. Smith Agency... ExpertClick, a platform connecting journalists with qualified interview sources, is offering a database of 357 top U.S. media outlets.
Perry Communications Group, a Sacramento‑based public affairs and strategic communications firm, marks its 30th anniversary... Bullish, an institutional-grade digital asset platform, enters into a definitive agreement to acquire Equiniti, the owner of press release service Notified... IPREX releases “Your Agency’s AI Reality Check Toolkit."
