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TrailRunner International teams up with Legends, which designs, plans and executes experiences in sports and entertainment, on a joint venture, TrailRunner Sports. Operating as an integrated business unit of TrailRunner International, the new initiative will focus on delivering communications and business strategy support to clients including sports leagues, professional teams, educational institutions, owners, investors and brands. Legends is currently partnered with such brands as Real Madrid, SoFi Stadium, One World Observatory, Dallas Cowboys, FC Barcelona, University of Notre Dame, New York Yankees and Ryder Cup, as well as leagues and properties including the NFL, MLB, NASCAR and PGA of America. TrailRunner has begun an executive search to find a leader for the joint venture, who will serve as president for TrailRunner Sports. “TrailRunner has a strong and proven track record of delivering results for our sports clients, and this new joint venture will allow our firm to expand our core offerings into new areas of exciting service and growth,” said TrailRunner International executive chairman Jim Wilkinson.
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Blue Engine, which offers a comprehensive suite of services across the consumer lifestyle space, is formed through the merging of the strategic practices of ICR and Bullfrog + Baum. ICR acquired Bullfrog + Baum in June. Blue Engine’s services include public relations, strategic partnerships, events + experiences, branding, creative, digital marketing, social media, influencer marketing and crisis management. It is led by CEO Jennifer Baum, who was founder and president of Bullfrog + Baum, and president Seth Grugle, who is a partner at ICR. The agency serves clients across such market sectors as restaurants, retail, travel + tourism, beauty, fashion, health + fitness, CPG, wine + spirits and consumer tech.
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Melcher Media, a book packaging and production company, is expanding into book marketing as well as direct-to-consumer and printing services. The company will work to help publishers and authors navigate the book marketing landscape with a range of services that include audience definition and development, author messaging and thought leadership, content strategy, influencer marketing, experiential marketing, book launches, and PR.. "With our expansion into marketing, direct-to-consumer, and printing services, we’re committed to helping the industry continue to evolve for decades to come,” says Melcher Media founder and CEO Charles Melcher.
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.
PSC (Princeton Strategic Communications) acquires Nonprofit Partners... CG Life launches 24/364, a cultural brand platform intended to drive awareness, connection and action aimed at keeping rare disease at the forefront of the health and social conversation... Interluxe Group, which focuses on brand experiences and in-person activations; Quinn, a strategic communications agency; and media and digital agency North & Warren are uniting under the Interluxe Group banner.
