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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.
Mark Allen & Co. acquires Alban Communications, establishing its first Miami office... Buchalter, a business law firm, launches a crisis management and strategic response group... 5W PR expands its beauty practice to include TikTok Shop-aligned PR campaigns and creator amplification strategies.
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.
