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| Bill Burton, Damara Catlett |
Bryson Gillette, the strategic communications firm founded by former deputy press secretary and special advisor to President Obama Bill Burton, launches Bryson Gillette Advocacy, an independent partner agency that focuses on government advocacy and public affairs. The mission-driven firm will be headed up by Damara Catlett as EVP and principal. Catlett was previously a director at The Raben Group. BG Advocacy will work to position its clients to advance their causes, influence policy, and achieve maximum impact by drawing on its deep knowledge of and relationships with Congress. Its offerings include direct lobbying, third party engagement, policy and strategic communications, and issue and policy campaigns. “Bryson Gillette was founded to fight for a more equitable and just world alongside values-aligned clients,” said Burton. "By adding an additional lever of change, we will continue this tradition in an even more impactful way." A Black-owned, intentionally diverse firm, Bryson Gillette’s leadership team is about 60% people of color and 65% women.
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William Mills Agency, which works with clients in the financial tech sector, introduces an executive social media engagement program, which focuses on enhancing the reputation of fintech executives and increasing their companies’ brand awareness. The new service includes optimizing executive profiles, updating connections, and drafting and posting social media content for fintech executives based on their areas of expertise. “In most cases, buyers and the industry look to professionals at companies before making a buying-decision. We call it ‘intellectual capital’ and one of the best places to showcase that talent is by using the executives’ social media profiles,” said William Mills Agency president Scott Mills, President of William Mills Agency.
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Hawke Media acquires entertainment marketing agency Lemonade. The deal is intended to boost both firms’ capabilities by combining Lemonade’s branded entertainment, gaming and blockchain expertise with Hawke Media’s performance marketing background, strengthening their presence in these industry verticals. The newly acquired agency’s existing staff will be retained, and its core values and commitment to clients will remain unchanged. “We have built a reputation in all respective industries and are excited about moving into the gaming and entertainment sector,” said Hawke Media CEO and founder Erik Huberman.
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.
