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A new study from Rosen Group finds that more than three quarters of small businesses (78 percent) do not have a formal crisis communications plan. The firm’s 2025 PR Pulse for Small Business Survey, conducted in partnership with Researchscape International, asked 1,000 small business owners across the US for their takes on topics ranging from crisis preparation to initiative impact to budget allocation and economic uncertainty. The biggest hurdles that respondents said they face over the next 12 months include limited budgets (cited by 54 percent) and time constraints (32 percent). More than half (56 percent) said that the most impactful PR initiative in the coming year would be social media management, with content marketing (49 percent) coming close behind. Showing the high priority that communications still have, more than four out of 10 respondents (41 percent) said they allocate at least 20 percent of their annual budget to marketing and PR—and nine percent said they allocate 50 percent or more. “While tactics, technologies and the media ecosystem have certainly changed over the years, the underlying principles behind a smart, effective PR program certainly have not,” said Rosen Group president Lori Rosen. “We encourage all businesses, regardless of size, to have a PR plan in place.”
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NP Digital announces a strategic agreement to acquire UK-based Yodel Mobile, the 2024 App Growth Awards App Marketing Agency of the Year. The integration will double NP Digital's London office size and bring advanced mobile expertise to its US and international clients. It will also enhance NP Digital's ability to launch, scale and transform the app experience for clients. Founded in 2007, Yodel Mobile has worked with such brands as Tinder and UKTV. “Ninety percent of mobile internet usage is spent in apps; integrating the expertise of Yodel Mobile into our portfolio empowers us to help brands thrive with cutting-edge app growth strategies and take advantage of new opportunities,” said NP Digital CEO Mike Gullaksen.
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Bospar principal Curtis Sparrer’s “Game Face: Becoming a PR Detective” makes its debut as an Amazon best-seller—coming in at number one on its Children’s Career Books list. The book was released on April 2. “Game Face” introduces young readers to the world of PR in a way that is both educational and entertaining. The book follows Sloan, a curious gamer who stumbles into the high-stakes world of public relations after discovering her uncle managing a late-night PR crisis. “This is the perfect book when you’re trying to explain modern PR and communications to your kid,” said Horn Group founder and CEO Sabrina Horn. It is available on Amazon in Kindle and in hardcover and paperback formats.
Mark Allen & Co. acquires Alban Communications, establishing its first Miami office... Buchalter, a business law firm, launches a crisis management and strategic response group... 5W PR expands its beauty practice to include TikTok Shop-aligned PR campaigns and creator amplification strategies.
Caster Communications is acquired by long-time agency leaders Alexandra Crabb and Peter Girard... DiGennaro Communications launches The Authority Studio, a freestanding content strategy and production offering... The Brandman Agency, which specializes in luxury travel and lifestyle, rebrands as Brandman.
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.
