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Penta Group acquires FIO360, a strategic advisory firm focused on intelligence-driven stakeholder engagement. As part of the acquisition, FIO360 founder Adam Weiss joins Penta as partner, based in Washington, DC. Weiss, who has spent over two decades advising senior executives on corporate affairs strategies, will work to strengthen Penta’s corporate affairs and stakeholder intelligence offerings. He will collaborate with colleagues across the firm to deliver strategies to anticipate risk, build trust and support long-term business goals. “The integration of FIO360 enhances Penta’s ability to deliver data-led solutions that connect corporate strategy to the realities of policy and public opinion,” said Penta CEO Matt McDonald.
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ONAR Holding Corporation, a leading technology company and network of marketing agencies, signs an agreement to acquire 100 percent of the membership interests of JUICE, via ONAR’s subsidiary Storia. Founded in 2017, JUICE is a digital marketing agency specializing in paid digital advertising, search engine optimization, email marketing and content marketing campaigns. As part of the transaction, ONAR will absorb JUICE’s proprietary AI software Sour Grapes, an intelligent Facebook comment moderation tool. ONAR will also retain key JUICE personnel to support a smooth transition, including co-founders Michael Lisovetsky and Troy Osinoff, and COO David Khandrius. Osinoff will join ONAR’s executive leadership team, while Lisovetsky and Khandrius will assist during the integration period. “This acquisition aligns perfectly with our growth strategy and allows us to deliver even more value to customers by combining our talented teams and proprietary marketing technologies,” said ONAR CEO Claude Zdanow.
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PR Newswire launches Amplify, a platform that merges its global distribution network with AI. Amplify’s features include the Plan tool, which analyzes real-time industry trending topics using AI to instantaneously surface the most compelling story angles for brands as well as Create+, a tool that leverages generative AI to produce videos, blog posts and personalized media pitches from a single press release. It also has the ability to build multimedia-rich releases that are designed to stand out across search, social, investor channels and news platforms. "Amplify redefines how brands tell their stories, control their narratives, and measure their impact by unifying the communications workflow into one intelligent, AI-powered platform,” said PR Newswire president Matt Brown.
Real Chemistry launches RC Resolve, a healthcare advisory practice... Seven Letter, a bipartisan strategic communications firm, adds offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Huntsville... GMMB founding partner David Mitchell died on Jan. 2 at 75. Mitchell’s career in communications began in June 1978, when he joined the staff of the United Auto Workers as assistant to the director of public relations and publications.
Berns Communications Group expands its advisory services and rebrands as Berns & Co... DVV Media International, a B2B media and events company serving the transport and logistics markets, sells its Road portfolio of products to Mark Allen Group... MAD Global Strategy of New Jersey launches a Washington presence. 
Motio is launched by former BPD chief strategy & innovation officer Sasha Boghosian and Ryan Colaianni, who was CCO at BPD as well as an SVP at Edelman... PMG acquires Digital Voices, an influencer marketing agency with a team of 70 employees across London, New York and Costa Rica... Gregory
Marketing Maven signs on to work with AI-native application platform Cogzia... Curtiss Partners, a consultancy dedicated to elevating executive communications, strengthening leadership effectiveness, and translating complex strategies into clear, actionable narratives, launches... Origin & Oak Creative, a marketing and communications agency specializing in culturally competent, community-centered messaging for B2B clients, opens its doors.
