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Risa Heller Communications, a New York-based strategic comms firm, opens a Los Angeles office. The move is intended to bolster RHC’s influence in the media industry and better position the firm to advise entertainment executives, studios, showrunners and production companies. Former Netflix director of entertainment and studio communications Erika Masonhall, who has also served as head of news communications at Facebook and VP of communications at NBC News, has been brought on as managing director to lead the expansion. Founded in 2011 by Risa Heller, RHC represents a wide range of corporate, crisis, institutional, real estate, and nonprofit clients across the country through high-stakes and high-profile issues.
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| Sven Winnefeld |
Hotwire launches its first proprietary AI tool, GAIO.tech, and a global AI Innovation team. The first in a series of AI technology and consulting solutions Hotwire will introduce in the coming months. GAIO.tech is designed to deliver unique insight into brand reputation, influence and recommendations from such AI chatbots as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity. In addition to developing the agency’s suite of proprietary AI powered solutions, Hotwire’s AI innovation team will consult clients on their AI strategies and communications programs. The team will be led by VP, AI Innovation Sven Winnefeld. “By launching a team dedicated to AI innovation for communications and marketing, we can set our clients ahead of competitors through unique AI insights and technologies, done responsibly,” said Hotwire global CEO Heather Kernahan. “Working with and understanding how best to deploy AI will allow global brands to build stronger reputations and relationships that boost customer retention and revenues.”
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The Worldcom Public Relations Group has added SAROTA PR in Krakow, Poland and Up & Company of Seoul, South Korea as members. SAROTA PR works with companies in the business and technology sector, specializing in campaigns for IT, fintech, e-commerce, automotive, energy and the data center industry. Up & Company, a financial communications firm, provides PR services specialized from an investor's perspective, aiming to move beyond the traditional division between IR and PR. “They are highly respected in their local markets, and have deep regional, national, and global experience in public relations and communications,” said Stephanie Paul, managing director, The Phillips Group (Brisbane, Australia), and Worldcom’s global recruitment chair.
Praytell expands its Influence Department—which unites media, creators and social under one team... LRJ PR & Communications and Canopy Brand Group form an alliance that the firms say will bridge the operational divide between high-end brand design and strategic public relations... Twin Minds Media, Hispanic market specialist, increases the scope of its services in an effort to help brands build deeper connections with audiences through culture, storytelling, media and experiences. 
The People Platform, part of Stagwell's The Marketing Cloud, rebrands as Numetrix... Zapwater Communications has earned 17 finalist honors across two PR competitions: eight at the 68th Annual Golden Trumpet Awards, presented by the Publicity Club of Chicago, and nine at the 2026 PRSA Chicago Skyline Awards.. The Florida Public Relations Association presented 122 awards to individuals and teams from across the state at its 69th annual Golden Image and 3rd Annual Pinnacle Awards gala.
The Motion Agency acquires Vehr Communications, a Cincinnati-based strategic communications firm, effective Oct. 1... Lyceus Group, which specializes in financial services, is named a finalist for Public Relations Campaign at the 2026 ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Awards... IPSY, a curated beauty membership platform, launches IPSY Marketing Solutions, a full-funnel marketing and sales acceleration engine. 
Fire on the Hill, which has offices in London, Manchester, New York and Paris, is providing pro bono communications support to the Intergenerational Foundation, the UK's leading authority on intergenerational fairness... The PRSA-NY Big Apple Awards Gala on Sept. 17 will have Gio Benitez, co-anchor of the weekend edition of “Good Morning America” and ABC News transportation correspondent, serving as emcee... CasePR, a boutique litigation communications firm, launches in Portland, OR.
inFocus, which works with entertainment, media and innovation brands in the US Hispanic market and Latin America, expands into Mexico... Modern Currency Public Relations, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2027, launches an AI visibility & generative engine optimization practice... Adfactors PR, India’s largest reputation and critical issues advisory, acquires Australian communication consultancy SenateSHJ.
