 |
| R. Kurt Osenlund |
Mark Allen & Co. launches "PrideNOW," a specialized PR consulting service designed to help marketers connect with the LGBTQ+ community year-round. The service will be led by VP of client relations and former Out magazine editor R. Kurt Osenlund. PrideNOW services include strategic development for LGBTQ+ campaigns; LGBTQ+ media relations; LGBTQ+ content development for owned, earned and paid media; community engagement initiatives; executive briefings on the LGBTQ+ market; coordination of LGBTQ+ marketing events; strategic partnerships with LGBTQ+ organizations; advertising messaging counsel; influencer strategies; crisis communication support; and media training for press interviews and speaking engagements. “Between reputational missteps from brands and continued attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, CEOs and CMOs must answer a growing mandate from their boards and customers to develop a strategy to authentically connect with LGBTQ+ audiences. A PR firm that understands the nuances of the community can be an invaluable partner in this process,” said Mark Allen & Co. CEO Mark Pasetsky.
 |
| Khaner Walker |
ArcSense Communications, a Raleigh, NC-based communications and PR agency, is launched by Khaner Walker, who most recently served as internal and external communications lead for Syneos Health’s corporate functions and technology group. He previously led Lenovo’s global internal communications function, and before that he headed up French|West|Vaughan’s public affairs team. ArcSense provides senior-level counseling for companies establishing their narrative or those seeking to scale and grow with new audiences. “We know the problems businesses are facing when it comes to their marketing spend, we’ve faced them ourselves,” said Walker. “We distinguish which efforts are working, drive the right value, and ensure alignment with the broader org – all wrapped around thoughtful marketing and communications strategies.”
 |
Progressive Dental Marketing, which works with more than 1,000 dental practices to improve their marketing capabilities, is partnering with McCarthy Capital to accelerate its growth plans. PDM, which surpassed $60 million in revenue in 2023, says that the $100 million recapitalization will provide the company with resources that will allow it to continue its expansion domestically and internationally. "We’re excited to partner with an industry-leading provider of sales and marketing training for dentists," said McCarthy Capital partner Phil Dudley. “Together, we’ll accelerate Progressive Dental’s growth trajectory through international expansion and accretive acquisitions.” DLA Piper led the legal advisory for McCarthy Capital. Hill Ward Henderson served as legal counsel to Progressive Dental Marketing.
The Shipyard, which owns Fahlgren Mortine and TURNER, makes a strategic investment in FancyAI... LAVIDGE launches InkFox Publicity (a LAVIDGE Co.), a publicity firm that will work with publishers; hybrid presses; and professional, indie and self-published authors... 5W PR introduces an investment division.
Supreme Group acquires Broth, a science-first creative agency... BridgeView Marketing launches PR Rosetta Stone, a proprietary, AI-enabled PR reporting and intelligence system... Imperio Chaos, a New York-based public affairs and global advisory firm, is founded by former Dezenhall Resources VP Annie Moore and Victor Lopez, who was previously president of the San Diego Lincoln Club.
The PHA Group, which has offices in London, Manchester and Leeds, is expanding to New York... The Next Solutions Group launches NSG Health... Rational 360, a DC-based firm, has relocated to an 18,000-square-foot space on the city’s K Street business corridor... KAOH Media, a firm specializing in clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, and ESG-driven investments, launches Fieldwise Civic Engagement.
SKDK merges with digital advertising firm Wavelength Strategy... Supreme Group launches Supreme Intelligence, an artificial intelligence platform designed to meet the commercial needs of healthcare and life sciences companies... Relevance International introduces Artificial Intelligence Amplification Optimization, a proprietary service designed to help brands create a competitive advantage for AI visibility... IMAGINE PR introduces a brand partnerships division, which will focus on ensuring that partnerships are meaningful and measurable, rather than transactional.
SourceCode Communications acquires Rally Point Public Relations... Ruder Finn launches its AI Accelerator, a set of tools and capabilities that will be embedded across client work, agency workflows, and talent recruitment and development, as a way of building AI-native expertise across disciplines... Ceisler Media & Issue Advocacy, a communications, media strategy and public relations firm, is merging with Athena Global Advisors. 
