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| Rick French |
French|West|Vaughan chairman & CEO Rick French is elected chair of PBS North Carolina’s board of trustees, effective July 1. The board serves in an advisory role to the statewide public media organization and is its most vital link to the public. French, a national trustee of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, is also a film and television producer, with four films slated for release later this year. Serving alongside French as vice chair will be Seth Bennett of Hornets Sports & Entertainment. Both were elected to two-year terms. “We will continue to produce and distribute programming that enlightens and entertains the citizens of NC and beyond,” said French. PBS North Carolina includes in-person engagement, digital-first social and online content delivery and four over-the-air channels: PBS NC, the North Carolina Channel, Rootle 24/7 PBS KIDS channel and the Explorer Channel.
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Hawke Media acquires PRP Group, which specializes in education sector public relations, marketing intelligence and strategic communications. Initially focusing on Pre-K-12 education, PRP has expanded internationally over the last five years to include the higher education, workforce development, and home education sectors. The deal is intended to strengthen both parties' capabilities, ensuring elevated services and innovative solutions for clients from pre-K through workforce development. PRP’s staff of 12 will be retained, and its core values and commitment to clients will remain unchanged. “It’s truly a significant moment for Hawke Media as we venture into providing PR services for the first time ever,” said Hawke Media CEO and founder Erik Huberman, CEO and Founder, Hawke Media. “We are excited to support PRP Group’s continued growth and success within the Hawke Media framework.”
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The Florida Public Relations Association has announced the keynote and speaker lineup for its Aug. 4-7 PR & Comms Summit. Walt Disney World Resort VP of communications Jacquee Wahler, will serve as the event’s Dillin Keynote Speaker, sharing insights on the integrated communications strategy behind the Oxford Economics study that found Disney generated $40 billion in economic impact across the state and more than a quarter of a million jobs in fiscal year 2022. Speakers will include Paramount/MTV Entertainment Studios director of communications Lauren Woulard and Microsoft chief storyteller Miri Rodriguez. The FPRA is the oldest public relations association in the United States, representing over 1,000 members statewide.
Highwire launches AcroAI, an agentic AI platform... FGS Global introduces a new brand identity... Coyne Public Relations puts an inclusive spin on Take Your Child to Work Day with its new “Take Your VIP to Work Day”... Marino SVP Jordan Isenstadt is elected to the board of directors of the National Cannabis Industry Association.
CIVIC, a New York-based brand experience agency, acquires strategic communications consultancy Wave Kilo... Hotwire Global reaches an agreement with Morning Consult to give Hotwire Global instant access to Morning Consult’s proprietary dataset... The Public Relations Student Society of America announced its 2026–2027 International Committee... Avenue Z is named a Shopify Platinum Partner, the highest tier of Shopify’s Service Partner Program.
ICR releases a report that says the SPAC IPO market has been trending upward—and is likely to stay on that track... Washington Women in PR is sponsoring an April 15 event that looks at how women can change the dynamics that often keep them in lower-visibility positions through strategic self-advocacy and organizational awareness... Life Science Cares Boston, an organization supported by LaVoieHeathScience, will convene leaders, employees and partners from across the life sciences industry for its annual Impact Breakfast on April 13 at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport.
