 |
Mod Op, a Miami-based digital marketing agency, acquires Ascend Marketing, which specializes in helping brands leverage CRM and marketing automation platforms. Rich Herbst, founder and managing partner of Ascend, will serve as Mod OP’s EVP, client solutions, and Ascend VP of marketing Laura Stevenson will take on an EVP role at Mod Op. Mod Op’s recent acquisitions include Image Media, Evans Hunt, LAM Design, RTO+P, Crenshaw Communications, and Context Creative. “Our team is passionate about helping B2B brands make their marketing operations work harder and smarter,” said Stevenson. “Joining Mod Op gives us the ability to scale our impact and deliver even more value to clients who want to unify their marketing efforts under one roof.”
 |
The Public Relations Global Network will install a new leadership team at its member meeting and conference in Nairobi, Kenya, from Oct. 22-24. Frédéric François, managing partner of two cents in Belgium and the Netherlands, has been elected president, succeeding Natacha Clarac of Athenora Consulting in Brussels, who will remain on the executive committee as immediate past president. François will serve as president through December 2026. Bill Southard, president and CEO of Southard Communications in New York, will be president-elect. Macey Cleary Binner, partner at REED Public Relations in Nashville, will serve as secretary, and Brad Kostka, president of Roopco in Cleveland, will continue as Treasurer for a second term. “The way we communicate is changing faster than ever,” said François. “As president, I will make sure PRGN not only keeps up with these changes but leads as the top independent network.”
 |
Signal AI, which provides reputation and risk intelligence, and Propel AI, an AI-powered media database for communications, form a strategic partnership, which follows Signal AI’s $165 million funding round led by Battery Ventures. The combined offering will allow users to move easily between the two platforms with a single sign-on, giving them the opportunity to monitor global media narratives in real time using natural language prompts; receive early alerts on reputational risks, coverage spikes, or regulatory changes; discover and engage the right journalists from an AI-powered media database; generate and send hyper-personalized pitches, with engagement tracking built in; and measure true impact and campaign ROI. “Propel is excited to partner with Signal to create the most advanced AI offering for communication teams. Our companies similarly approach an outdated industry with bold AI innovation, so it really was a match made in heaven,” said Propel founder and CEO Zach Cutler.
Curley & Pynn Public Relations Management rebrands as Biplane focused specifically on helping nonprofits build visibility, reputation and trust to advance their philanthropy.... SKDK launches a payer negotiation practice that is designed to support health systems as they navigate increasingly complex negotiations with insurers... ChangeMakers, a strategy and communications firm with over 400 professionals across North America, launches RepScore.
Prosek Partners opens in San Francisco under the leadership of partner Nadia Damouni... Caliber Corporate Advisers, which works with clients in the fintech and financial services sectors, introduces the Caliber Authority Index (Caliber AI), a proprietary measurement platform... Herbie Thiele Consulting, a public affairs firm blending lobbying and communications, is launched by the longtime Sachs Media partner.
Bospar expands its Audit*E tool for small- and medium-sized businesses, which provides comprehensive visibility scoring, competitive analysis and platform-specific improvement recommendations, giving users actionable intelligence to help with brand positioning.... 5W is increasing its presence in Tampa and the Florida market....PR Consultants Group, a nationwide network of senior-level public relations, strategic communications and marketing specialists in more than 50 U.S. markets, has brought on 13 independently owned public relations firms across 13 markets and 12 states so far in 2026.
Real Chemistry launches MaestroHCP, which is designed to help pharmaceutical marketers plan, activate and measure HCP engagement with more speed, precision and control... Laughlin Constable Public Relations receives a Skyline Award from PRSA... 1Milk2Sugars, which has offices in New York, Toronto and Montréal, is expanding its influencer marketing offering with the establishment of a dedicated U.S.-based influencer team.
10Fold launches MetricsMatter 5.0, a proprietary communications intelligence platform that brings together earned media, social, digital, competitive performance, website activity and visibility across five leading LLMs... Stagwell increases its investment in Real Clear Holdings, publisher of political intelligence platform Real Clear Politics and creator of the RCP Poll Average... Aim & Grace, which works with tourism, hospitality and lifestyle brands, is launched by Amy Skelding and Grace Parker, who previously led Finn Partners' UK travel practice.
