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Narrative Strategies is opening an office in New York. The Washington, DC-based firm set up shop in West Palm Beach, FL last year. Caleb Barnhart and Graham Newhall have been hired as managing directors to head the new office. Barnhart was most recently an SVP at Sloane & Company and has also served as a director at Weber Shandwick. Newhall has led communications and messaging strategy for leading cryptocurrency advocacy organizations and advised on the national communications strategy for grassroots coalition Swing Left. “Caleb’s expertise in financial communications and crisis management, combined with Graham’s background in public affairs and AI search, give added dimension and depth to Narrative’s senior leadership team,” said Narrative Strategies CEO and founding partner Ken Spain. “Expanding our geographic footprint in New York is the next logical step as we continue our growth trajectory.”
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Deerfield Group, an agency working with healthcare and life sciences clients, announces an evolved brand identity that brings Triple Threat Communications, which it acquired in July, under the unified Deerfield brand. Triple Threat owner Tim Frank will now serve as Deerfield’s first chief commercial officer, helping to shape new offerings while continuing to lead key accounts across the agency. “By combining TTC’s kinetic creative DNA with our extensive strategic expertise and tactical execution, we’re not only expanding our services, but we’re unleashing brand potential at every stage of a company’s lifecycle and commercialization journey,” said Deerfield CEO Frank Burrell.
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DBC, which focuses on clients in the advertising, marketing and insights industries, launches DBC AI Optimization, a Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) offering. The new solution focuses on helping companies ensure that their PR and content strategies are optimized for visibility in generative AI outputs across such platforms as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and other large language models. DBC AI Optimization includes an AI Search Audit, which analyzes how a brand currently appears (or doesn’t) across generative search tools; website enhancement; and off-site support. “DBC AI Optimization will ensure our clients show up where decisions are being made in real-time conversations powered by AI,” said DBC president Bill Daddi.
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5WPR expands the range of its influencer marketing capabilities. In addition to such services as talent identification, partnership management, content development and campaign execution, the agency’s proprietary process now includes influencer vetting, contract negotiation, legal compliance, and ROI-driven reporting. "Influencer marketing is no longer a one-size-fits-all tactic. It's a critical brand-building tool that must be rooted in strategy and aligned with cultural nuance, platform shifts, and measurable outcomes," said 5WPR managing partner and EVP, CPG & lifestyle Leigh Ann Ambrosi.
IPREX names Big Picture PR in San Francisco, Precision Strategies in Washington, D.C., and Tiny Mighty Communications in Nashville as its first Americas Partner Cohort... Highwire launches AcroAnswers, a proprietary AI visibility platform... Big Red Oak and Naer Communications, a Calgary-based firm, form a partnership providing integrated communications and marketing services to clean energy companies and organizations across Canada.
Matter launches its Review Visibility Management service to address a shift in how companies across verticals earn trust online... A Queens school is putting out the message about Sept. 12, 2001 when people came together to help, comfort, rebuild and unite... Directive expands its Directive Communications division, which will bring PR, organic social, influencer marketing and paid social together under one integrated organization.
Praytell expands its Influence Department—which unites media, creators and social under one team... LRJ PR & Communications and Canopy Brand Group form an alliance that the firms say will bridge the operational divide between high-end brand design and strategic public relations... Twin Minds Media, Hispanic market specialist, increases the scope of its services in an effort to help brands build deeper connections with audiences through culture, storytelling, media and experiences. 
The People Platform, part of Stagwell's The Marketing Cloud, rebrands as Numetrix... Zapwater Communications has earned 17 finalist honors across two PR competitions: eight at the 68th Annual Golden Trumpet Awards, presented by the Publicity Club of Chicago, and nine at the 2026 PRSA Chicago Skyline Awards.. The Florida Public Relations Association presented 122 awards to individuals and teams from across the state at its 69th annual Golden Image and 3rd Annual Pinnacle Awards gala.
The Motion Agency acquires Vehr Communications, a Cincinnati-based strategic communications firm, effective Oct. 1... Lyceus Group, which specializes in financial services, is named a finalist for Public Relations Campaign at the 2026 ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Awards... IPSY, a curated beauty membership platform, launches IPSY Marketing Solutions, a full-funnel marketing and sales acceleration engine. 
