 |
LLYC brings its 2024 Annual Report into the age of AI, using two AI-generated voices— IAn and MaIA—to guide listeners through a nine-episode podcast summarizing the company’s year. The agency says that the new format “transforms the traditional reading experience into a richer, more fluid, and more conversational sound journey.” It also stands as an example of one of the three pillars that the agency says defined its 2024—transformation, integration and sustainable growth. Among the highlights cited in the report: a 19 percent jump in operating income, investment in both strategic acquisitions and innovations, a larger workforce (up almost 8 percent to 1,300 professionals), growth for LLYC’s foundation (now known as Fundación José Antonio Llorente) and increasing recognition for the firm’s ideas. “We’re bigger and better than we were a year ago," LLYC partner and global CEO Alejandro Romero notes in the report’s introduction. "We’ve proven our ability to overcome new challenges and reach our goals—even in a year of full-scale transformation, all to better meet our clients’ evolving needs.”
 |
The Lede Company, a strategy, communications and social impact consulting firm, acquires brand partnerships and integrated marketing agency Element Brand Group. Element founder Heather Leeds Greenfield is joining The Lede Company as partner and head of brand partnerships. Launched in 2018, The Lede Company opened a London office in 2022 and acquired Paris-based Olivier Bourgis Communication and Marketing in 2023. Element has worked with clients including Activision Blizzard, Airbnb, Audible, Coca-Cola, and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. “This acquisition strengthens our ability to serve clients across all touchpoints of modern brand marketing and communications,” said Lede co-CEO Christine Su.
 |
5WPR launches its Aging Solutions Group, a specialized practice dedicated to businesses and brands addressing the needs of aging adults. The group supports brands navigating the opportunities and challenges of an aging population, from home care and healthcare services to wellness, beauty, and lifestyle. Leveraging strategic media relations, digital PR, thought leadership, and integrated campaigns, it delivers tailored communications strategies aimed at sparking engagement, driving education, and building lasting trust. "Our Aging Solutions Group brings deep sector knowledge and creative firepower to help companies drive key innovation, technology and lifestyle solutions, building awareness and uptake that will resonate with individuals and families navigating major life changes," said 5WPR CEO Matthew Caiola.
Champion, which specializes in restaurant, franchise and consumer brands, opens a Miami office, adding to its operations in Dallas and Los Angeles... Violet PR, a Montclair, NJ-based firm that focuses on economic development, commercial real estate and place branding, opens a second office on Park Avenue South in New York... Inflection Point, a founder-led, senior growth systems partner for startups and growth-stage businesses, launches... PRSA announces the recipients of its inaugural Women of Impact Awards. Honorees honorees were recognized during the PRSA Women of Impact Summit & Awards at the Union League Club of Chicago.
FleishmanHillard is shuttering its 20-member Dublin office as Omnicom Public Relations reorganizes its global operations... Vested acquires Watermark, a D.C.-based public affairs and special situations firm.... Matter earns two Pinnacle Awards 2026 Marketing & Communications honors for its clients.
Quad/Graphics launches Direct, a Quad Agency to help marketers create, execute and measure direct marketing campaigns in one connected offering... InnoVision Marketing Group SVP/senior creative director Giselle Campos and SVP/general manager Alanna Markey are among the first-ever winners of the San Diego Business Journal’s Indispensables Awards, which recognizes professionals who make the greatest impact within their organizations and across the San Diego business community... Park Place Technologies, an IT infrastructure services firm that works with Feintuch Communications, releases the second episode of its “The Savvy CIO” podcast. 
Ripley PR is named a silver winner in the TITAN American Business Awards’ Outstanding PR Campaign category... Excellera, a corporate-advisory firm, came in at number one in deal count, as well as fourth in deal value, in Mergermarket’s list of top EMEA firms... Thunderly is telling the stories of military veterans who transferred the discipline, organization and leadership skills developed in service to their country into successful post-military careers as franchise business owners, as part of its year-long "American Dreamers: The Stories of Franchising" effort.
Legendary Boston PR man George Regan is stepping down from day-to-day management of his namesake firm. The 75-year-old will remain chairman.
