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| Andrew Bates |
Wolfpack Strategies, a DC-based strategic communications firm, is launched by Andrew Bates, who most recently served as senior deputy press secretary in the Biden White House. Bates was also director of rapid response for Biden’s 2020 campaign, and a staffer on the Clinton and Obama campaigns. Bates told Axios that his firm will offer crisis communications, press relations, strategic messaging and reputation management, with the aim of helping clients simplify complex subjects and avoid and defuse political issues. “He combines endless determination and dedication with a deep set of government and campaign experiences that make him well positioned to take on any public affairs challenge," said former White House communications director Ben LaBolt.
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Cornerstone Government Affairs, a bipartisan government relations, public affairs and consulting firm, opens a Nevada office—broadening its reach to 15 states, along with its DC office. Combined with its presence in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, the Nevada office places Cornerstone in each of the first four states in the presidential nominating process. The expansion into Nevada is being spearheaded by Jason Frierson, who was most recently US Attorney for the District of Nevada, and Alisa Nave-Worth, who comes to Cornerstone after running her own firm, Alisa Nave-Worth Consulting. Both Frierson and Nave-Worth will serve as principal and counsel in the new office. Accompanying them on the Nevada team is Stephanie Balistere, who ran campaign compliance, client communications and logistics at Alisa Nave-Worth Consulting.
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ONAR, a marketing and business solutions network, launches ONAR Labs, a tech incubator. ONAR Labs will focus on developing and commercializing proprietary marketing technology solutions that have been tested across ONAR's network of agencies. The incubator’s first product to be released in Cortex, an AI-powered marketing intelligence platform that has been powering the company's agency network, and will become available to companies via subscription. . "What began as an internal tool that drove exceptional results for our clients is now evolving into a commercial platform that will help enterprises remove marketing uncertainty and drive measurable growth through AI-powered intelligence," said ONAR CEO Claude Zdanow.
KNB Communications acquires Roketto, a digital agency specializing in generative engine optimization, web design and development, digital advertising and inbound marketing strategy. The combined agency rebrands as Sōvyn... Krupp Agency, an independent New York shop, celebrates its 30th anniversary.... The Worldcom Public Relations Group adds CARRALSIERRA in Mexico City and We Are DNA in Bristol, UK.
The Motion Agency, a woman-owned marketing-services agency, acquires Chicago-based ad agency LKH&S, which has clients such as Hyundai, EmployCo, EvAI and Toggler... Method Communications, which has offices in New York, London and San Francisco, opens in Boston... IPREX adds Coral Communications (South Africa), PR Consultancy (Montenegro) SE2 (Denver) and Trium (Albania).
Kloss Creatives, which works with consumer packaged goods and wellness brands, rebrands to KALET... Everything Branding, which operates from offices in San Diego and Michigan, acquires Darlington Marketing Co... Onfolio Holdings launches SharePulse, an investor relations analytics and engagement platform, and Parlance, a managed communications service.
Fire on the Hill, and Fourth Day, along with its sister company Quatrième Jour, are merging... 5W publishes a study that says many long-time media heavy hitters are coming up short in terms of their AI influence... EducationDynamics, a higher education marketing and enrollment management company, acquires Net Natives... Mark Allen & Co. is launching an expanded thought leadership model with multiple activations at Cannes Lions 2026. 
4media group acquires The CauseWay Agency, a purpose-driven communications agency specializing in public service announcements... Featured, an AI co-pilot for PR, launches a platform that will allow PR professionals and subject-matter experts to find media opportunities, submit pitches, and land featured placements... IPREX, a global network of independent communications and marketing agencies, brings on Heidi Otway of SalterMitchell PR in Florida as global president.
