 |
Publicis Groupe acquires Influential, which it says is the largest influencer marketing company in the world by revenue. Led by founder and CEO Ryan Detert, Influential will be positioned centrally within Publicis, offering its services to all the company’s clients and teams. Influential’s proprietary AI-powered platform includes access to and data on 90 percent of global influencers with 1M+ followers. It currently serves more than 300 brands around the world. “Influential is above all an outstanding team of talent at the very cutting edge of their sector,” said Publicis Groupe CEO Arthur Sadoun. “With the new creator economy set to exceed linear tv on adspend in the next year, thanks to Influential we are able to fully embrace its outsized influence and put it at the service of all of our clients.”
 |
The Museum of Public Relations elects Philip Bonaventura, Natan Edelsburg, Jim Olson and Dave Samson to its board of trustees. The four new members bring the number of trustees to 25. Bonaventura is chief financial officer of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), as well as treasurer of the Swiss-based Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communications Management, which represents more than 360,000 practitioners and academics around the world. Chief partnerships officer at Muck Rack, Edelsburg is also a trustee at the PRSA Foundation. Olson, head of brand and communications at Avelo Airlines, has also held executive communication posts at United Airlines, Starbucks and US Airways, and was a senior practice leader at WE Communications. Samson, who is chief corporate affairs counsel of the IQ 360 business consultancy, was previously Edelman’s U.S. chief operating officer and global vice chairman of corporate affairs. “Of particular importance to the Museum,” said PR Museum board of trustee chairman Dick Martin, “each of the new trustees has been dedicated to ensuring the success of the next generation of professionals—one of the Museum’s top missions.”
 |
The TechTrailblazers Awards, a global recognition platform for enterprise technology startups, celebrating innovation, impact and entrepreneurial excellence. are accepting entries through Aug. 20, with an early bird discount available for entries received by July 31. The awards cover such categories as AI, big data, blockchain, cloud, fintech, IoT, and sustainable tech. The 2024 judging panel for the awards is welcoming two new members, Ian Ellis and Chris Holscher. Ellis, co-founder of the OperAngels syndicate, a group of industry experts focused on angel investments in the enterprise tech and cybersecurity spaces, has worked with organizations including Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, Prudential Financial, Microsoft, and Bank of Ireland. Holscher has a proven track record in gaining qualified visibility for emerging vendors, accelerating the journey to market breakthrough and unlocking better investment. The award winners will be announced in November.
Brunner, a Pittsburgh-based integrated marketing agency, acquires AdSkate, an AI-powered creative analytics and marketing intelligence platform that helps brands and agencies optimize advertising performance... Augustine Agency launches Flavor Theory, a foodservice marketing practice aimed at helping restaurants, food manufacturers, distributors and institutional dining organizations grow their brands and businesses... The Acceleration Community of Companies releases a report finding that almost half (49 percent) of Gen Z sports fans say they have become interested in a new sport or athlete because of fan-created content or something entirely outside the sport. 
VPE Communications, which helps organizations authentically connect with diverse audiences, celebrates 38 years in business and announces a new ownership structure... Praytell expands into the Asian market with the opening of a new office in Singapore... The International Public Relations Network unveils a new visual identity and redesigned website. 
SourceCode Communications launches SourceCode Germany, establishing the agency's first office in continental Europe... Clario Group acquires Ted Miller Group, a Miami-founded agency focused on clients in the technology, travel & leisure and financial services sectors... Global Situation Room’s Global Risk Advisory Council is hosting a July 23 webinar that will go over the results of its new Reputation Risk Index.
Havas acquires MUT, a Barcelona-based firm focused on experiential marketing and sustainable events... IPREX lauches its AI Task Force...D S Simon Media, one of the first companies to produce a satellite media tour, celebrates its 40th anniversary... Washington Women in Public Relations is sponsoring an event that shows communications pros who work with associations how they can get their messages across clearly, credibly and courageously. “How Associations Lead with Strategic Storytelling,” at 6 p.m. on July 16.
TEAM LEWIS starts up its AI Practice... Thunderly launches a year-long storytelling campaign focused on how franchising can provide a pathway to business ownership... JIN, a European communications consulting group, introduces "AI Campaigning", a corporate offering designed to model and anticipate stakeholder behavior.
