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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.
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.
Karsh Hagan and Madden Media join forces as KHM... Endeavor Communications opens an office in the Harbor Point neighborhood of Stamford, CT... Big Red Oak, a Toronto-based communications firm, and D.C. area-based PA firm New Hill Consulting have launched a joint service exclusively for companies in the nuclear energy sector... The Pollack Group has partnered with Brandi AI, a platform for enterprise brand intelligence, AI visibility and Generative Engine Optimization.
Real Chemistry acquires Spurwing Communications, which advises pharmaceutical and healthcare organizations—as well as clients across a broader range of industries—throughout APAC... 5W AI Communications (5WPR) is moving its headquarters from New York to Florida (Miami, Tampa)... Valence Communications, which will focus on biopharmaceutical companies, launches under Matt Middleman, who was founder and CEO at LifeSci Communications.
Moburst, which specializes in digital marketing and AI-powered solutions, acquires Amazon marketing agency Hyperzon... The Public Relations Global Network launches its Health Practice Group, which brings together more than 20 independent agencies across four continents to support health care, life sciences and pharma organizations... ICR’s newly released Q2 2026 SPAC Market Update & Outlook shows a healthy environment for IPOs... Red Banyan, a senior-level crisis management, litigation PR, and reputation management firm, makes its first appearance in the Chambers and Partners listings.
Deerfield Group, a marketing, communications and media firm focused on the healthcare and life sciences sectors, receives a strategic majority investment from Martis Capital, a private equity firm... Bospar and market research firm Propeller Insights release the results of a study that shows public understanding of AI and the role it plays in brand discoverability is lagging behind the progress of the technology itself... Highwire launches AcroIntelligence, a proprietary Large Media Model designed to help companies identify emerging narratives, understand competitive shifts, and make faster, more informed decisions.
