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Stagwell enters into an agreement to acquire Create. Group, a strategic digital communications group that operates across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. The company will become a part of Stagwell's Code and Theory Network, which partners with businesses that focus on changing consumer behaviors, emerging technologies and AI. Create. Group founder and CEO Tom Otton will continue to lead the firm. Create. Group’s client roster includes the Department of Culture & Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT), Dubai Department of Economy (DET) and Tourism, Sony Pictures, Volkswagen Middle East, COP29, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and NEOM. “Create. Group and the Code and Theory Network share the same digital-led vision and together, we're the right size to produce quality, game-changing work," said Stagwell chairman and CEO Mark Penn.
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Marketbridge, a growth consulting and marketing services firm, acquires April Six Science & Innovation and April Six Technology, whose services include PR & communications, branding and demand generation, from TheMISSIONGroup Plc. April Six Mobility, which works with clients in the B2C automotive sector, will remain part of The MISSIONGroup. April Six founder and CEO Fiona Shepherd will step down from her position as executive director on MISSION’s board. This is Marketbridge’s first acquisition in EMEA, expanding its global footprint. “This marks a significant step in our mission to eliminate fragmentation in sales and marketing efforts and provide our clients with integrated, high-velocity growth solutions,” said Marketbridge CEO John Shomaker.
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Seventh Bear, a marketing consultancy that grew out of LA-based The Content Advisory, launches. TCA founder Robert Rose and lead analyst Cathy McKnight remain in charge of the rebranded firm. Seventh Bear will provide marketing consulting, advisory, training and fractional marketing leadership to companies of all sizes. It also remains the main marketing partner to the Content Marketing Institute, which works to advance the practice of content marketing through online education and in-person and digital events. “Seventh Bear exists to help teams move smart, get creative, and use technology as a tool—not a crutch,” said Rose.
FleishmanHillard is shuttering its 20-member Dublin office as Omnicom Public Relations reorganizes its global operations... Vested acquires Watermark, a D.C.-based public affairs and special situations firm.... Matter earns two Pinnacle Awards 2026 Marketing & Communications honors for its clients.
Quad/Graphics launches Direct, a Quad Agency to help marketers create, execute and measure direct marketing campaigns in one connected offering... InnoVision Marketing Group SVP/senior creative director Giselle Campos and SVP/general manager Alanna Markey are among the first-ever winners of the San Diego Business Journal’s Indispensables Awards, which recognizes professionals who make the greatest impact within their organizations and across the San Diego business community... Park Place Technologies, an IT infrastructure services firm that works with Feintuch Communications, releases the second episode of its “The Savvy CIO” podcast. 
Ripley PR is named a silver winner in the TITAN American Business Awards’ Outstanding PR Campaign category... Excellera, a corporate-advisory firm, came in at number one in deal count, as well as fourth in deal value, in Mergermarket’s list of top EMEA firms... Thunderly is telling the stories of military veterans who transferred the discipline, organization and leadership skills developed in service to their country into successful post-military careers as franchise business owners, as part of its year-long "American Dreamers: The Stories of Franchising" effort.
Legendary Boston PR man George Regan is stepping down from day-to-day management of his namesake firm. The 75-year-old will remain chairman.
CGLife, a pharma agency focused on clients who are bringing therapies for rare, specialty and hard-to-treat diseases to market, combines with AI-native agency The Considered+AI... PRSA-NY announces the shortlist for the 2026 Big Apple Awards... The Agency East Public Relations, a Fort Lauderdale–based shop that works exclusively with women business owners in the early growth stage, is expanding its practice to help women business owners get found and cited by AI answer engines like ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, Perplexity, and Claude.
