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| Amy Rutkin |
Rutkin Strategies, a consultancy practice, is launched by Amy Rutkin, who is retiring from her role as staff director to the House Judiciary Committee and long-time chief of staff to Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY). Rutkin Strategies is partnering with two women-owned government relations agencies, Kasirer of New York and NVG of Washington, DC., with Rutkin serving as a senior advisor to both firms. The new practice will provide key services to each firm’s clients through strategic insights, relationship development, policy advising and direct government relations. Her connecting the two firms across the DC-NY power landscape will also result in enhanced opportunities and synergies. “Amy’s knowledge of government, her unparalleled connections both in DC and here in NY, along with her expertise on a broad range of issues will be an enormous asset to our clients and a perfect complement to our existing team,” said Kasirer president Suri Kasirer. “She is a true leader on so many important issues and made an unquestionable impact on the House and its most prolific committee,” said NVG managing partner Andrea LaRue.
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| Coltrane Curtis, Lisa Chu |
Stagwell acquires Team Epiphany, a consumer marketing agency that specializes in cultural relevance, experiential, progressive multi-cultural marketing and influencer integration. Team Epiphany will continue to operate independently as part of Stagwell's Constellation network, which includes 72andSunny, Instrument and The Harris Poll. It is led by founder and managing partner Coltrane Curtis and managing partner Lisa Chu, who will remain in their current positions. Launched in 2004, the agency has worked with such clients as Airbnb, American Express, Coca-Cola, LEGO, HBO (MAX), Campari and Amazon. “When I met the team, it became clear to me that their deep appreciation and mastery of culture is an essential ingredient for contemporary brands focused on forward-looking growth," said Constellation chair Justin Lewis. Team Epiphany is Stagwell's first acquisition of the year after picking up Movers+Shakers in November 2023, Left Field Labs in October, Tinsel Experiential Design in July, and In the Companies of Huskies in April.
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5WPR launches a dedicated defense PR and aerospace PR vertical. Services offered to defense clients include messaging and positioning, media relations, initial public offering media strategy, new market expansion campaigns, visibility programs, content creation, sponsorships/partnerships, digital media campaigns, event planning, thought leadership and speaking opportunities. The new vertical is led by a team of experts who possess a long history of leading successful campaigns for defense and aerospace clients including Shield AI who 5W has assisted to expand their footprint and enhance their brand reputation. “We have extensive experience working in these industries and understand how to navigate both the historical context of the industry while bringing a tech-focused approach as AI and robotics continue to heavily influence the space,” said 5WPR co-CEO Matt Caiola.
Curley & Pynn Public Relations Management rebrands as Biplane focused specifically on helping nonprofits build visibility, reputation and trust to advance their philanthropy... SKDK launches a payer negotiation practice that is designed to support health systems as they navigate increasingly complex negotiations with insurers... ChangeMakers, a strategy and communications firm with over 400 professionals across North America, launches RepScore.
Prosek Partners opens in San Francisco under the leadership of partner Nadia Damouni... Caliber Corporate Advisers, which works with clients in the fintech and financial services sectors, introduces the Caliber Authority Index (Caliber AI), a proprietary measurement platform... Herbie Thiele Consulting, a public affairs firm blending lobbying and communications, is launched by the longtime Sachs Media partner.
Bospar expands its Audit*E tool for small- and medium-sized businesses, which provides comprehensive visibility scoring, competitive analysis and platform-specific improvement recommendations, giving users actionable intelligence to help with brand positioning.... 5W is increasing its presence in Tampa and the Florida market....PR Consultants Group, a nationwide network of senior-level public relations, strategic communications and marketing specialists in more than 50 U.S. markets, has brought on 13 independently owned public relations firms across 13 markets and 12 states so far in 2026.
Real Chemistry launches MaestroHCP, which is designed to help pharmaceutical marketers plan, activate and measure HCP engagement with more speed, precision and control... Laughlin Constable Public Relations receives a Skyline Award from PRSA... 1Milk2Sugars, which has offices in New York, Toronto and Montréal, is expanding its influencer marketing offering with the establishment of a dedicated U.S.-based influencer team.
10Fold launches MetricsMatter 5.0, a proprietary communications intelligence platform that brings together earned media, social, digital, competitive performance, website activity and visibility across five leading LLMs... Stagwell increases its investment in Real Clear Holdings, publisher of political intelligence platform Real Clear Politics and creator of the RCP Poll Average... Aim & Grace, which works with tourism, hospitality and lifestyle brands, is launched by Amy Skelding and Grace Parker, who previously led Finn Partners' UK travel practice.
