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WPP and Google announce a five-year expansion of their partnership, which will be dedicated to advancing cloud and AI technology, as well as cultivating the essential skills needed to leverage those technologies to transform marketing. The expanded partnership includes a $400 million spending commitment from WPP for Google technologies, directed toward infusing AI into its services alongside the company’s increased investment into AI and technology through WPP Open, its AI platform for marketing. Key initiatives include new, bespoke AI solutions; rapid AI model development; secure, privacy-first data collaboration; improved video and image production; preferred access to Google’s AI; and efforts to cultivate the next generation of AI talent. “Our expanded partnership with WPP is built on a shared vision to harness the power of generative and agentic AI to transform business outcomes,” said Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian. WPP CEO Cindy Rose added that “by delivering bespoke AI solutions and enabling hyper-relevant campaigns with unprecedented scale and speed, we're accelerating innovation across every facet of marketing to drive unparalleled growth and impact.”
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Forbes Tate Partners, a bipartisan public affairs and government relations firm, sets up shop in the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. The new Dallas office has client engagements underway in the health, energy, AI and financial services sectors. To support its work in Texas and beyond, the agency has launched the Lonestar Social Index—a proprietary data tool that analyzes how policy, business and social conversations in Texas drive national dialogue, and how developments in Washington impact the business environment in the state. “Texas is an economic powerhouse, a policy incubator and a culture driver,” said FTP managing partner Rob Mathias. “Our presence here puts us at the center of conversations that will shape the future of business and government." The agency says that a rollout of expanded services and client offerings in additional states is expected by early 2026.
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Meyocks, a Des Moines, IA-based branding and marketing agency, unveils a comprehensive rebrand that includes a new logo, website, messaging and cultural promises. The rebrand positions Meyocks as “the agency that gives a damn,” highlighting its 41-year legacy of serving brands that make a positive impact across food and beverage, health and wellness and agriculture. Since January 2024, when Kelly Ferguson took on the role of president and CEO at the agency, it has undergone an evolution marked by intentional growth and expanded capabilities, including enhanced offerings in research and data science, and the introduction of a dedicated brand strategy team. “This extensive and strategic rebrand not only better depicts who we are today but also reflects how we will continue our growth and evolution into the future,” said Ferguson.
MMGY and Las Vegas-based R&R partners are joining forces under parent company MMGY Global... HarrisQuest, the brand and reputation intelligence platform from The Harris Poll, launches HarrisQuest MCP (Model Context Protocol), which lets users easily connect an AI assistant to external data and tools... Curious Orange, a Dublin-based firm that offers strategy, creative design, digital performance marketing, and AI-enabled workflows, launches Curious Orange Live, a dedicated live experiential marketing agency.
The Messina Group is rebranding as Fortius Global and opening an office in London. Jim Messina, who launched the firm in 2013 after serving as campaign manager for Obama for America, will serve as CEO of Fortius Global and continue to set the vision, strategy, and execution for Fortius and its companies... The New York Chapter of the National Investor Relations Institute names the new members of its NextGen Committee for the 2026-2027 term... Billion Dollar Boy, a social and influencer marketing agency with offices in New York and London, acquires Santa Monica, CA-headquartered Creator Authority.
Slowey McManus Communications is receiving a majority stake investment from Adi Sarosa, founder and managing partner of AA24 Communications... Seven Letter, a Washington, D.C.-based bipartisan strategic communications and public affairs firm, marks its 20th anniversary... Jack Morton launches a new global brand identity.
Peregrine, which specializes in asset and wealth management, adds a Los Angeles office to its locations in New York and London... The Dilenschneider Group, which was founded by Hill & Knowlton CEO Robert Dilenschneider, marks 35 years in business... Meltwater launches Intelligence is Always in Style, a marketing campaign based on a short-film series starring actress Kim Cattrall.
53Six, a Dublin- and London-based sports marketing agency, is acquired by Irish experience and entertainment group FUEL... Blue Highway Advisory releases a report that looks at how the shift from CEO to AI has changed the way in which consumers access information, and offers advice on how to handle the new landscape... Get Engaged, whose services include campaign ideation, social media management, influencer marketing, celebrity partnerships, content production and paid media, joins SAMY, a social-first agency headquartered in Madrid. 
