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Stagwell launches the Stagwell Media Platform, a centralized team of global media, technology and data experts. Powered by agentic principles, SMP will optimize trading and investment product solutions for Stagwell’s global network and media partners. It will utilize Stagwell’s scale, technology and partnerships to model, forecast and optimize towards increasing efficiency and boosting client outcomes. Matt Adams, who is global chief operating officer at Assembly Global, will now also serve as global CEO of SMP. Marissa Jimenez, who comes to Stagwell from Dentsu US, where she was EVP, commercial, will take on the role of SMP’s global chief trading and solutions officer, effective July 14. "This suite of solutions repositions, matures and expands the way we do business with our valued partners in a consolidating, addressable world, making it accessible to the entire Stagwell network,” said Adams.
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| The HOPSCOTCH Board |
HOPSCOTCH, an international communications group founded in France, moves to reinforce the coherence of its global network and accelerate its development across all markets with the launch of a dedicated international coordination team for its operations outside of France. With over 1,200 employees—half of whom are based internationally—across 40 offices on five continents, the group is reorganizing its international operations under a unified brand by renaming all its offices under the HOPSCOTCH name. To support the transformation, Sylvain Rouchy, formerly head of the HOPSCOTCH Season network, has been appointed chief operating officer of the HOPSCOTCH International network. “This move reflects a clear ambition: to make HOPSCOTCH a global reference partner, capable of activating local expertise in a coordinated way to address the international challenges of our clients,” says HOPSCOTCH president Frédéric Bedin.
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The Travel Lifestyle Network, an alliance of independent PR and marketing agencies specializing in travel and lifestyle, adds Fox Communications in the United Kingdom, Kontextia in Argentina, and Promonde in Brazil to its network. Fox Communications specializes in working with luxury travel and hospitality clients and has recently expanded into the luxury lifestyle space. Kontextia, a boutique language, marketing and communications, provides services including translation, localization, PR, business development and event management. Promonde connects international brands with the Brazilian market through strategic branding, public relations, storytelling, digital marketing and tailored sales initiatives. “Each brings a deep understanding of their markets, enabling us to offer clients more comprehensive support and insights in regions showing remarkable travel growth and opportunity,” said TLN executive chair (as well as Zapwater Communications founder and CEO) David Zapata.
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.
