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Stagwell is hosting the inaugural Future of News NewsFronts on Oct. 16 in New York. The upfronts style event will bring together thought leaders to spotlight innovation and opportunity in news media, and secure advertising commitments from brands for the year to come. It will feature panel discussions and keynotes exploring the challenges and opportunities shaping the next chapter of news media, as well as presentations from leading news organizations about their priorities for the year ahead. Programming will include: a productization track featuring a fireside chat on Creating Enduring News Products with the New York Times' Michael Barbaro; a monetization track with a keynote on Building Monetizable Communities with Axios' Mike Allen; and an innovation track featuring a keynote on New Media with Mo News' Mosheh Oinounou, as well as a panel on Storytelling in the Age of AI. "Our NewsFronts will bring together our coalition of partners, renowned journalists, and news junkies to drive conversation around the future of news media," said Stagwell's chief corporate affairs officer Alexis Williams.
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Marketbridge acquires UK-based B2B technology marketing firm Revere. The move, which is backed by private equity firm RTC Partners, doubles Marketbridge’s headcount in Europe, following its acquisition of April Six earlier this year. Along with 52 staffers, Revere brings clients including Westcoast, Lenovo, Samsung and Fujitsu into the Marketbridge group. Its understanding of the channel ecosystem is intended to enhance Marketbridge’s capabilities in serving clients with complex routes to market. April Six and Revere will form the foundation of Marketbridge Europe, enabling the organization to better serve global B2B clients. “Revere brings a depth of insight, a strong advisory ethos, and a proven ability to deliver meaningful outcomes for ambitious technology brands,” said Marketbridge John Shomaker.
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| Rob Duda |
Peppercomm SVP Rob Duda joins the 2025 Board of Directors of The St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund, a nationwide nonprofit that provides short-term relief to Class A OTR drivers suffering from an illness or injury that took them out of work within the last year. The organization also provides free preventative health and wellness programs for OTR drivers. Duda, who leads communications strategy for major mobility and infrastructure clients at Peppercomm, a Ruder Finn Group company, is also secretary of the Board of Directors for the International Motor Press Association. “His experience working in the trucking and mobility industries, coupled with his passion for supporting professional drivers, will be invaluable as we continue to expand our reach and impact,” said SCF executive director Courtney Niemann. To make a donation or become a sponsor of SCF, contact director of philanthropy Diane Hutsell via email at [email protected].
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FIFTH ELEMENT, a healthcare communications agency employing an AI-based anticipatory intelligence platform to predict the hopes fears, and beliefs of healthcare professionals and patients, is launched by 21Grams founder and CEO Robert Blink and IPG Health group president Renée Mellas. The new agency’s approach is focused on delivering solutions and content that it says are scientifically rigorous and emotionally resonant, letting it move faster, see shifts sooner and make artificial intelligence a natural part of the strategic and creative process. "Joining forces with Renée Mellas at FIFTH ELEMENT gives us the opportunity to combine our history of visionary leadership and innovation in healthcare communications to deliver on what clients need, not just today but in the future,” said Blink.
KNB Communications acquires Roketto, a digital agency specializing in generative engine optimization, web design and development, digital advertising and inbound marketing strategy. The combined agency rebrands as Sōvyn... Krupp Agency, an independent New York shop, celebrates its 30th anniversary.... The Worldcom Public Relations Group adds CARRALSIERRA in Mexico City and We Are DNA in Bristol, UK.
The Motion Agency, a woman-owned marketing-services agency, acquires Chicago-based ad agency LKH&S, which has clients such as Hyundai, EmployCo, EvAI and Toggler... Method Communications, which has offices in New York, London and San Francisco, opens in Boston... IPREX adds Coral Communications (South Africa), PR Consultancy (Montenegro) SE2 (Denver) and Trium (Albania).
Kloss Creatives, which works with consumer packaged goods and wellness brands, rebrands to KALET... Everything Branding, which operates from offices in San Diego and Michigan, acquires Darlington Marketing Co... Onfolio Holdings launches SharePulse, an investor relations analytics and engagement platform, and Parlance, a managed communications service.
Fire on the Hill, and Fourth Day, along with its sister company Quatrième Jour, are merging... 5W publishes a study that says many long-time media heavy hitters are coming up short in terms of their AI influence... EducationDynamics, a higher education marketing and enrollment management company, acquires Net Natives... Mark Allen & Co. is launching an expanded thought leadership model with multiple activations at Cannes Lions 2026. 
4media group acquires The CauseWay Agency, a purpose-driven communications agency specializing in public service announcements... Featured, an AI co-pilot for PR, launches a platform that will allow PR professionals and subject-matter experts to find media opportunities, submit pitches, and land featured placements... IPREX, a global network of independent communications and marketing agencies, brings on Heidi Otway of SalterMitchell PR in Florida as global president.
