 |
Burson is integrating strategic market research consultancy and fellow WPP company BSG (formerly Benenson Strategy Group) into its U.S. Insights, Data & Intelligence group, effective January 1, 2025. “BSG’s talent, expertise and commitment to excellence across qualitative and quantitative market research will be the perfect complement to the infrastructure and tech stack we currently have within Burson’s Data & Intelligence group and through the Burson Innovation Portfolio,” said Burson Americas chair, insights, data & intelligence Kari Butcher. BSG co-founder Carl Rossow made the decision earlier this year to retire from BSG, effective December 31. “Carl played an outsized role in building BSG into the renowned consultancy it is today,” Butcher continued.
 |
French/West/Vaughan announces a strategic alliance with Dallas-based Baker & Bonner Creative Emporium, forming a marketing services partnership that has worked with some of the biggest brands in the Western lifestyle industry. During their 24-year partnership, Baker & Bonner co-founders Rob Baker and Jimmy Bonner have also developed campaigns for Spalding, PGA TOUR Superstore, Jeep, Home Depot, Biltmore and Pegasus Bank. “There is no substitute for the credibility and consumer understanding acquired over 30 years of immersion in the culture of the American West, and with the added horsepower of Baker & Bonner, we’ve taken it to the next level,” said FWV president David Gwyn. FWV will introduce the new alliance at its hospitality and gifting suite for media, brands, influencers and VIPs at Resorts World in Las Vegas during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Dec. 5-14. The partnership has established a digital outpost at WaysoftheWest.com.
 |
Stagwell adds Blue Horse Digital Marketing (Malaysia) and Dash Digital (South Africa) to its Global Affiliate Network. Blue Horse provides specialized solutions that focus on maximizing sustainable profitability while automating day-to-day operations for consumer industries, including wellness services, consumer goods, and e-commerce centered activities on marketplace platforms. DashDigital, a specialized design studio, serves a global client base, helping brands connect with their audience via in-depth research, rigorous strategy, well-built technology and responsive design. “We can’t wait to harness the immense resources and possibilities the partnership will afford us,” said Dash Digital co-founder and creative director Rogan Jansen.
 |
Sprout Social, a provider of cloud-based social media management software, launches several additions to its product suite intended to help marketers work faster and smarter in the face of tightening budgets and heightened customer expectations. Those additions include Generate Posts, which provides AI-generated post text options (written in a brand’s voice) based on top-performing content. Generate Subtitles and Generate Translations by AI Assist will automate publishing tasks essential to inclusivity and accessibility, while Smart Categories enables marketers to understand the key subjects driving conversations around their brand. Also part of Sprout’s new developments are such new features as PII (personally identifiable information) Masking and Stop Words, which lets brands set triggers to hide PII from agents and enabling admins to define a list of words or phrases that will be automatically blocked. “Our latest enhancements in AI empower marketers to scale their social operations while staying true to their brands and meeting the rising expectations of today’s consumers,” said Sprout Social chief product officer Erika Trautman.
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.
Karsh Hagan and Madden Media join forces as KHM... Endeavor Communications opens an office in the Harbor Point neighborhood of Stamford, CT... Big Red Oak, a Toronto-based communications firm, and D.C. area-based PA firm New Hill Consulting have launched a joint service exclusively for companies in the nuclear energy sector... The Pollack Group has partnered with Brandi AI, a platform for enterprise brand intelligence, AI visibility and Generative Engine Optimization.
