 |
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.
 |
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.
 |
| 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].
 |
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.
The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America names Attention Comms CEO Paul Cohen as 2026 president of its board of directors. Cohen succeeds Ken Kerrigan, who has held executive posts at Bliss Group, Infinite and Weber Shandwick... Startr Co. of Los Angeles, marks its 10th anniversary with the launch of a renewed brand identity and redesigned website.... Michael Best Strategies, an affiliated consulting firm of national law firm Michael Best, is introducing a corporate advisory service.
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.
