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Proof, a Scottsdale, AZ-based firm, is launched by Serendipit Consulting co-founder Melissa DiGianfilippo. The agency, which opened on Oct. 1, will offer a suite of services that encompasses strategic planning, earned media, influencer marketing and crisis communications. Its client roster includes Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass, Asset Living, Est Est Interior Design, OneAZ Credit Union, DryBar, Epic Golf Club, and Robbins Brothers Jewelers. “After 20 years in the industry, I’ve honed a results-driven approach that cuts through the noise,” said DiGianfilippo. Serendipit Consulting will continue under Alexis Krisay’s sole ownership as a marketing and creative agency. Both brands will continue to support each other in the future, offering complementary services.
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NC Solutions, a marketing research company, releases a survey that examines consumer attitudes toward advertising in rideshare apps. More than three quarters (79 percent) of those surveyed said they are least somewhat likely to engage with special offers or discounts provided within apps. Perhaps not surprisingly, Gen Z respondents were the most enthusiastic, with 88 percent of them open to these in-app deals. Only 58 percent of boomers agreed. In addition, 38 percent of respondents said they have made a purchase with a brand after seeing an ad in a rideshare app, with men (43 percent) being more likely to do so than women (31 percent). More results from the study will be discussed in "On the Move: How Uber Ads are Connecting Brands with Consumers,” an Oct. 7 presentation featuring NCS CEO Alan Miles and Uber Advertising head of the Americas Megan Ramm. The 9:30 a.m. discussion, which is part of Advertising Week in New York will take place on the Tech Stage in The Penn District (100 W. 33 St).
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PRSA is recognizing six of its members for their contributions and service to the organization and the communications profession. The honorees will be celebrated during ICON 2024, PRSA’s annual conference, running from Oct. 15-17. Receiving the Gold Anvil Award, which recognizes lifetime achievement in PR, is former Royal Caribbean Group global chief communications officer Rosanna Fiske. The Patrick Jackson Award for Distinguished Service to PRSA goes to SCG Advertising + Public Relations EVP Michael Cherenson. Kelly Bruhn, associate dean at the Drake University School of Jounalism and Mass Communication will take home the Outstanding Educator Award, and Virginia Commonwealth University professor emerita Judy VanSlyke Turk receives the John L. Paluszek Atlas Award for Lifetime Achievement in International Public Relations. The D. Parke Gibson Award, which goes at PR pro who has helped increase awareness of PR in multicultural communities, goes to Anita Ford Saunders, founder and owner of Anita Ford Saunders Communications, and Justin Ángel Knighten, a senior official at FEMA, is named PR Pro of the Year. “This year’s awards recipients exemplify the highest standards of dedication and achievement within our profession,” said 2024 PRSA Chair Joseph Abreu.
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.
