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Cornerstone Government Affairs opens a Columbia, SC office, marking the 13th state in which the company maintains a physical presence. The new office will be led by Daniel Boan, who most recently served as chief of staff and legal counsel for the South Carolina House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee, leading a team of 10 responsible for advising the committee on the drafting of the state’s annual budget and on legislation related to tax, fiscal policy and administration of state government. “Daniel is a first-class addition to our team and will undoubtedly help us navigate this new market,” said Cornerstone president Campbell Kaufman. The addition of South Carolina adds to the firm’s presence in early presidential nominating states, including Iowa and New Hampshire.
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ChicExecs PR + Retail Placement Agency, which is marking its 20th anniversary this month, now includes two sister companies, ExPR and Backhouse Agency, with a combined total of more than 80 staffers nationwide. ExPR works to position industry thought leaders in opportunities to showcase their expertise and provide insights on relevant topics. Backhouse Agency assists brands with ad placements across various platforms. Those services complement ChicExecs PR’s offerings, which include digital marketing, public relations, retail placement, and content production.
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Mad Fish Digital is acquiring brand-building marketing agency Grady Britton. The agencies will combine under the ownership of Mad Fish owners Corrie and Ben Herman, operating as strategic partners in the near term. Grady Sutton president Paige Campbell and creative director Andy Askren remain in their current roles. The acquisition brings together a combined team of 46 people distributed over 10 states and headquartered in Portland, OR. “From our perspective, combining Mad Fish and Grady Britton, an agency also committed to making real change with their work, has the greatest potential for savvy clients to make lasting impact in their categories,” said Ben Herman, Mad Fish CEO.
CashmanKatz launches CK Health, a healthcare marketing specialty... Mission North introduces its Physical Industries practice, which will focus on physical AI applications across four verticals: commerce, manufacturing, mobility, and aerospace and defense... Muck Rack, an AI communications platform, announces a new feature designed to help communications leaders identify timely opportunities to shape relevant news conversations while they are still developing.
FINN Partners opens an office in Minneapolis, its fifth location in the Midwest and its 39th worldwide... AMP3 PR hosts its annual Gifting Suite and Media Lounge in conjunction with New York Fashion Week... Curious Plot, which works with clients in the agriculture, food and companion animal industries, is accepting applications for its 2026 Seed to Succeed pro bono program.
IPREX names Big Picture PR in San Francisco, Precision Strategies in Washington, D.C., and Tiny Mighty Communications in Nashville as its first Americas Partner Cohort... Highwire launches AcroAnswers, a proprietary AI visibility platform... Big Red Oak and Naer Communications, a Calgary-based firm, form a partnership providing integrated communications and marketing services to clean energy companies and organizations across Canada.
Matter launches its Review Visibility Management service to address a shift in how companies across verticals earn trust online... A Queens school is putting out the message about Sept. 12, 2001 when people came together to help, comfort, rebuild and unite... Directive expands its Directive Communications division, which will bring PR, organic social, influencer marketing and paid social together under one integrated organization.
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. 
