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KEF Media, an Atlanta-based firm, launches a division focused on its broadcast PR offerings within the entertainment industry. The new division builds on KEF’s existing work in the film, television and music industries with a plan to make PR services accessible for more independent artists. KEF Media has tapped agency alums, Kyle Smith and Jurena Cantrell to lead its efforts. Smith will serve as director, digital content & marketing and Cantrell is VP, entertainment. “While KEF has a deep history of working with entertainment clients, we felt it was a natural move to form a dedicated division to service filmmakers, movie and recording studios and independent creators,” said KEF Media CEO Yvonne Hanak.
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Marx Buscemi Eisbrenner Group, which focuses on clients in the global automotive, trucking, tech, mobility and consumer goods industries, acquires SEO-driven content agency Growth Machine. All Growth Machine employees will become part of MBE Group, including CEO Nora Schlesinger, who will join MBE Group as VP and be part of the agency’s leadership team. Chicago-based Growth Machine provides B2C and B2B digital content creation and SEO for consumer goods, tech and e-commerce brands. “Growth Machine has a proven track record of consistent, results-driven work and tremendous market knowledge, along with an experienced and well-connected leadership team that has created a fantastic culture rooted in collaboration and creating value for clients,” said MBE Group president Tom Eisbrenner.
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PRophet, a suite of AI-powered PR software and services, unveils a feature that lets users discover and pitch directly to relevant social media influencers and journalists simultaneously within a single workflow. The new integration enables brands and agencies to identify relevant influencers and content creators for news stories and announcements across platforms including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and podcasts. Users can review the influencers' audience quality score, engagement rate, follower credibility and advanced insights such as popular hashtags or direct mentions. "By unifying these two critical disciplines through AI tools, PRophet is empowering savvy communications professionals to craft comprehensive comms strategies that reach audiences across all channels," said PRophet chief Aaron Kwittken.
IPREX names Big Picture PR in San Francisco, Precision Strategies in Washington, D.C., and Tiny Mighty Communications in Nashville as its first Americas Partner Cohort... Highwire launches AcroAnswers, a proprietary AI visibility platform... Big Red Oak and Naer Communications, a Calgary-based firm, form a partnership providing integrated communications and marketing services to clean energy companies and organizations across Canada.
Matter launches its Review Visibility Management service to address a shift in how companies across verticals earn trust online... A Queens school is putting out the message about Sept. 12, 2001 when people came together to help, comfort, rebuild and unite... Directive expands its Directive Communications division, which will bring PR, organic social, influencer marketing and paid social together under one integrated organization.
Praytell expands its Influence Department—which unites media, creators and social under one team... LRJ PR & Communications and Canopy Brand Group form an alliance that the firms say will bridge the operational divide between high-end brand design and strategic public relations... Twin Minds Media, Hispanic market specialist, increases the scope of its services in an effort to help brands build deeper connections with audiences through culture, storytelling, media and experiences. 
The People Platform, part of Stagwell's The Marketing Cloud, rebrands as Numetrix... Zapwater Communications has earned 17 finalist honors across two PR competitions: eight at the 68th Annual Golden Trumpet Awards, presented by the Publicity Club of Chicago, and nine at the 2026 PRSA Chicago Skyline Awards.. The Florida Public Relations Association presented 122 awards to individuals and teams from across the state at its 69th annual Golden Image and 3rd Annual Pinnacle Awards gala.
The Motion Agency acquires Vehr Communications, a Cincinnati-based strategic communications firm, effective Oct. 1... Lyceus Group, which specializes in financial services, is named a finalist for Public Relations Campaign at the 2026 ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Awards... IPSY, a curated beauty membership platform, launches IPSY Marketing Solutions, a full-funnel marketing and sales acceleration engine. 
