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Edelman launches its Counter Disinformation Unit, a dedicated global team intended to help organizations navigate and protect themselves from mis- and disinformation. Simon Paterson has been named US head of the unit. With operational experience in information warfare and psychological operations, Paterson has analyzed and countered sophisticated disinformation attacks. The unit will also be working with external partners to ensure clients have the most up to date intelligence and analysis to understand how the threat is evolving. The launch coincides with the release of the 2024 Edelman Connected Crisis Study, which identifies the rise of artificial intelligence as the fastest-growing area of concern for communications executives due to its potential to cause significant reputational damage. The study finds that while 8 in 10 executives are concerned about these threats, fewer than 1 in 2 are prepared to anticipate, identify and manage them. “Whilst AI offers huge opportunities for business and society, it has also created a new era of reputational challenges that are unpredictable, sophisticated and fast,” said Edelman global chair, crisis & risk Julian Payne. “The launch of Edelman’s Counter Disinformation Unit ensures our clients can take the necessary steps to protect their license to operate and can sustain trust in this fast-evolving environment.”
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Potomac Tech Wire, a tech news platform serving the Washington, DC area, and Capitol Communicator, which provides marketing and communications news to the region, are presenting the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit on Oct. 30 at the Convene Conference Center in Arlington, VA. The event brings together more than 500 professionals from brands, associations, professional services firms, government, tech companies and more to discuss industry trends, best practices and challenges. Topics include CMO challenges, AI, analytics, media relations, attribution, social media trends, SEO, marketing automation, content creation, email marketing, Design/UX, crisis communications and video trends. Speakers are set to include Washington Post CCO Kathy Baird, Racepoint Global founder and chairman Larry Weber, Howard University CCO Lydia Sermons and Nestlé North America VP, head of corporate communications Josh Morton. This year’s event hosts the American Advertising Federation DC Chapter’s ADWKDC, which will feature a track of sessions for the advertising community.
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Konnect Agency relocates its Los Angeles office to the Pacific Mutual Building in Downtown LA. The LA headquarters adds to the agency's coast-to-coast presence, which includes offices in New York, Denver and Oklahoma City, as well as team members across 12 states nationwide. The new office space provides a larger footprint for the agency and is designed to foster creativity and collaboration. Konnect is also adding four senior leaders to its team: chief operating officer Kristina Fair, SVP Libby Bollig, senior digital content director Bernell Edwards and associate brand director Megan Busch. "With our move to a larger office space at the historic PacMutual Building and the addition of highly talented new team members, Konnect Agency is stepping into a new chapter as we celebrate our 15th anniversary," said Konnext founder and CEO Sabina Gault.
Public Inc., a social impact agency based in Toronto and New York, acquires Rocket Social Impact, an advisory firm that works with nonprofit and corporate social impact organizations... Ruder Finn launches “What’s Next: The Ruder Finn Podcast,” a new platform hosted by CEO Kathy Bloomgarden... Crowe PR joins United Partners Network, a network of independent PR agencies with members across more than 65 markets worldwide.
Ruder Finn launches rf.Voices, an integrated influence offering that brings together AI-powered influencer marketing, customer advocacy and paid amplification under one measurable framework... The Pollack Group is accepting applications through March 31 for The Big Red Grant, a $40,000 pro bono strategic PR and marketing engagement program awarded to a nonprofit organization ready for growth... D S Simon Media releases a report that says almost seven in ten producers (68 percent) are more interested in airing a story when they know it has been optimized for AI.
Precision Strategies, an integrated strategy and marketing agency with offices in Washington and New York, acquires Firehouse Strategies, a DC-based public affairs firm... AVENIR GLOBAL acquires London-based Thinks Insight & Strategy... Good Company, which bills itself as a “cultural engineering firm,” is launched by DJ Hardy, a veteran of Johannesburg-based communications consultancy arxna and M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment and Casey Stickles, who has worked at 5WPR, Rubenstein and MWW.
PSC (Princeton Strategic Communications) acquires Nonprofit Partners... CG Life launches 24/364, a cultural brand platform intended to drive awareness, connection and action aimed at keeping rare disease at the forefront of the health and social conversation... Interluxe Group, which focuses on brand experiences and in-person activations; Quinn, a strategic communications agency; and media and digital agency North & Warren are uniting under the Interluxe Group banner.
KITH, which provides corporate reputation and crisis preparation services, is now owned by CEO Stephanie Craig, who has been with the firm since 2021... The Marketing Cloud, a part of Stagwell, introduces several expansions to Agent Cloud, the platform it launched in October 2025 to simplify access to its AI tools and marketing assistants.... Notified launches its AI Press Release Optimizer.
