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| Laurie Rowe |
Laurie Rowe Communications, which specializes in destination media relations and storytelling, is acquired by Paradise Advertising & Marketing, a certified woman-owned full-service marketing agency specializing in tourism and destination marketing. LRC founder Laurie Rowe will take on the role of SVP of public relations at Paradise, leading its expanded public relations division alongside Paradise CCO Cris Duschek. The integration adds LRC’s client portfolio of over 27 destination organizations across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia to Paradise’s roster. “Laurie and her team bring decades of regional expertise, trusted media relationships, and a track record of measurable success, especially with emerging DMOs,” said Paradise CMO and co-owner Barbara Karasek.
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FGS Global acquires Washington, DC-based health care policy and advocacy firm Tarplin, Downs & Young. The full TDY team and its leadership remain intact. Founded in 2006, TDY focuses on strategic consulting and policy development, working on policy solutions for a broad range of health care stakeholders. Following the addition of TDY, FGS’s Health offering will have more than 50 dedicated health sector experts, including regulatory specialists, seasoned crisis and reputation management professionals, former congressional and administration leaders and former health care journalists. “With TDY, we are building on FGS’s robust health care communications practice and adding highly respected bipartisan expertise to the broader FGS team,” said Kim James, partner and lead of FGS’s Health sector group in North America.
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| Aurélie Burnier |
PRophet, a suite of AI-powered SaaS software and services, expands into the Brussels market. PRophet’s efforts in the Belgian capital will be led Aurélie Burnier. Burnier was most recently VP professional services at POLITICO Europe, heading up the European sales team and overseeing the research and analysis division. In her new post, Burnier will work to strengthen PRophet’s partnerships with existing institutional clients in the Brussels as well as expanding its presence. “By establishing a stronger local presence under Aurélie’s leadership, we are deepening our commitment to existing partners and ensuring we can deliver even more tailored, high-quality support,” said PRophet chief client services officer and managing director Central Europe Sebastian Rohwer.
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. 
