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rbb Communications acquires UPRAISE Marketing + Public Relations, a San Francisco-based firm specializing in B2B technology and financial services. UPRAISE president Tim Johnson has been named to rbb’s leadership team and becomes an equity partner. UPRAISE will continue to operate under its own brand, with no staff changes reported. Financial terms were not disclosed. UPRAISE has a 20-year history of supporting companies in sectors including artificial intelligence and machine learning, cybersecurity, data storage and servers, enterprise software, telecommunications and more. “The acquisition of UPRAISE brings technology PR expertise into our portfolio and UPRAISE clients will benefit from our creative services, digital/social and influencer skills,” said rbb CEO Christine Barney.
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Gregory FCA partners with AI strategists Melior to develop CrisisCalm, an AI-powered platform built to provide communicators with real-time, end-to-end crisis communications planning, messaging and deliverables. CrisisCalm generates a comprehensive crisis response playbook tailored to any situation. The platform’s AI engine delivers company-specific, audience-ready messaging and materials in real time. The agency says that a key differentiator of CrisisCalm is its ability to be trained in advance, allowing it to learn a company’s products, mission, tone, stakeholder relationships and communications protocols—resulting in responses that are authentic, aligned and on-brand even under intense pressure. “This is communications-specific AI built for the boardroom, the newsroom, and every room. With CrisisCalm, communicators become indispensable. They no longer have to chase the response, they shape it,” said EVP, strategic communications and growth Heather Crowell, who helped train the model and developed its interface.
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| Drew Herdener |
The LAGRANT Foundation appoints Drew Herdener, SVP for Amazon’s communications and corporate responsibility organization, to its board of directors. Herdener previously served as a host committee member for TLF’s 26th and 27th scholarship program in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Herdener also oversees Amazon’s community impact team, which aims to address issues in areas such as education, food security, affordable housing, and disaster relief, and leads its sustainability efforts. The LAGRANT Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase representation in the fields of advertising, marketing and public relations by providing scholarships, career opportunities, professional development workshops and mentorship opportunities to undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D. students from historically underrepresented communities. “He has already made an impact these past two years as a host committee member, and I look forward to partnering with Drew,” said TLF chairman and CEO Kim L. Hunter.
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.
