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Stagwell acquires JetFuel, a New York-based experiential marketing services agency. JetFuel will become a subsidiary of Stagwell's integrated experiential agency TEAM. JetFuel specializes in live brand experiences, retail and shopper marketing, digital content and sponsorship activations. It has worked with clients including Walmart, Unilever, Kimberly Clark and Feastables. “With access to Stagwell's high level insights and data resources, as well as integration with their world class creative thinking, we'll be able to design experiences that are not just more effective and efficient, but truly transformative for our clients and their audiences," said JetFuel CEO Abe Sorcher.
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The Diversity Action Alliance and Institute for Public Relations release a report showing that racial diversity has made considerable strides in the PR and communications workforce. From 2019 through the end of 2023, the level of diversity (i.e., the number of nonwhite employees and managers) rose from 22 percent to 28 percent. Growing Latino representation (up three percent) was a big factor in that increase. In the C-suite, diversity appears to be growing more quickly. In 2019, top communications leaders (CCOs, agency CEOs, executive directors) at DAA signatory organizations had a diversity rate of seven percent. By the end of 2023 that number rose to 18 percent. The report reflects data from over 16,000 employees across 99 companies, including Fortune 500 communications departments and top-ranked U.S. communications agencies. "While we've seen small gains over the past five years, our field still lags behind the broader stakeholder market,” said DAA president Carmella Glover. “We are committed to providing this progress report annually and providing resources to drive measurable actions. Diversity is vital for responsible and relevant business and communications.” The deadline to submit numbers for 2024 is June 30, 2025. The senior-most communicators at any organization (i.e., CCO, Agency CEO, Executive Director) can join DAA by participating before the deadline.
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Athletes Endorse, which works to connect brands with pro and college athletes, launches in Los Angeles. The agency offers athlete sourcing, campaign strategy, public relations, content production and fan engagement services. It generates content that can be used across digital channels and for product launches, seasonal promotions, direct marketing and internal communications. Athletes Endorse works with brands in sectors including retail, insurance, legal and food products. “We’re leveling the playing field for brands by developing athlete partnerships that are no longer just for big-budget national brands or marquee athletes,” said Athletes Endorse founder and chief endorsement officer Eric Wein.
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.
PSC (Princeton Strategic Communications) acquires Nonprofit Partners... CG Life launches 24/364, a cultural brand platform intended to drive awareness, connection and action aimed at keeping rare disease at the forefront of the health and social conversation... Interluxe Group, which focuses on brand experiences and in-person activations; Quinn, a strategic communications agency; and media and digital agency North & Warren are uniting under the Interluxe Group banner.
KITH, which provides corporate reputation and crisis preparation services, is now owned by CEO Stephanie Craig, who has been with the firm since 2021... The Marketing Cloud, a part of Stagwell, introduces several expansions to Agent Cloud, the platform it launched in October 2025 to simplify access to its AI tools and marketing assistants.... Notified launches its AI Press Release Optimizer.
