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DGA Group forms a strategic alliance with Korean consulting firm LICA. The goal of the partnership is to help businesses engage across borders, navigate complex regulatory environments, and drive sustainable growth in new and emerging markets. It combines DGA Group’s global reach and functional expertise, such as in trade and defense industrial policy, with LICA’s in-depth industry knowledge and strong ties within Korea’s business and government sectors. “LICA is a leader in Korea on business strategy and international expansion advisory services, and we are excited to work together to provide clients with unparalleled access to international markets and regulatory expertise,” said DGA Group CEO Edward Reilly.
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Notified launches Personalized Pitch—an offering that combines artificial intelligence with the input and oversight of PR pros to create and send tailored, 1:1 email pitches at scale based on a reporter’s beat, audience and past coverage. The offering, which is securely integrated with press release service GlobeNewswire, lets users provide pitch details, including topic, value, key points and quote. Personalized Pitch generates three drafts—each tailored to the journalist preferences and profile data. Users select and edit a preferred draft, then send it alongside a GlobeNewswire press release. “By combining AI-powered personalized pitching with our human-verified journalist database, we’re amplifying the human perspective to foster more meaningful media engagement while providing an all-in-one solution for modern communications teams,” said Notified chief operating officer Erik Carlson.
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Franco is certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women in the United States. The certification follows the 2024 ownership transition of the firm from former chairman Dan Ponder to Franco CEO Tina Kozak, along with minority owners and agency executives Tina Benvenuti Sullivan and Nikki Little. This marks the first 100 percent female ownership group in the company’s 61-year history. “This milestone underscores the importance of inclusive entrepreneurship even in the face of persistent challenges,” said Kozak. “The certification will expand our capacity to contribute, connect and lead.”
Brunner, a Pittsburgh-based integrated marketing agency, acquires AdSkate, an AI-powered creative analytics and marketing intelligence platform that helps brands and agencies optimize advertising performance... Augustine Agency launches Flavor Theory, a foodservice marketing practice aimed at helping restaurants, food manufacturers, distributors and institutional dining organizations grow their brands and businesses... The Acceleration Community of Companies releases a report finding that almost half (49 percent) of Gen Z sports fans say they have become interested in a new sport or athlete because of fan-created content or something entirely outside the sport. 
VPE Communications, which helps organizations authentically connect with diverse audiences, celebrates 38 years in business and announces a new ownership structure... Praytell expands into the Asian market with the opening of a new office in Singapore... The International Public Relations Network unveils a new visual identity and redesigned website. 
SourceCode Communications launches SourceCode Germany, establishing the agency's first office in continental Europe... Clario Group acquires Ted Miller Group, a Miami-founded agency focused on clients in the technology, travel & leisure and financial services sectors... Global Situation Room’s Global Risk Advisory Council is hosting a July 23 webinar that will go over the results of its new Reputation Risk Index.
Havas acquires MUT, a Barcelona-based firm focused on experiential marketing and sustainable events... IPREX lauches its AI Task Force...D S Simon Media, one of the first companies to produce a satellite media tour, celebrates its 40th anniversary... Washington Women in Public Relations is sponsoring an event that shows communications pros who work with associations how they can get their messages across clearly, credibly and courageously. “How Associations Lead with Strategic Storytelling,” at 6 p.m. on July 16.
TEAM LEWIS starts up its AI Practice... Thunderly launches a year-long storytelling campaign focused on how franchising can provide a pathway to business ownership... JIN, a European communications consulting group, introduces "AI Campaigning", a corporate offering designed to model and anticipate stakeholder behavior.
