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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.”
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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.”
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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.
Public Inc., a social impact agency based in Toronto and New York, acquires Rocket Social Impact, an advisory firm that works with nonprofit and corporate social impact organizations... Ruder Finn launches “What’s Next: The Ruder Finn Podcast,” a new platform hosted by CEO Kathy Bloomgarden... Crowe PR joins United Partners Network, a network of independent PR agencies with members across more than 65 markets worldwide.
Ruder Finn launches rf.Voices, an integrated influence offering that brings together AI-powered influencer marketing, customer advocacy and paid amplification under one measurable framework... The Pollack Group is accepting applications through March 31 for The Big Red Grant, a $40,000 pro bono strategic PR and marketing engagement program awarded to a nonprofit organization ready for growth... D S Simon Media releases a report that says almost seven in ten producers (68 percent) are more interested in airing a story when they know it has been optimized for AI.
Precision Strategies, an integrated strategy and marketing agency with offices in Washington and New York, acquires Firehouse Strategies, a DC-based public affairs firm... AVENIR GLOBAL acquires London-based Thinks Insight & Strategy... Good Company, which bills itself as a “cultural engineering firm,” is launched by DJ Hardy, a veteran of Johannesburg-based communications consultancy arxna and M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment and Casey Stickles, who has worked at 5WPR, Rubenstein and MWW.
PSC (Princeton Strategic Communications) acquires Nonprofit Partners... CG Life launches 24/364, a cultural brand platform intended to drive awareness, connection and action aimed at keeping rare disease at the forefront of the health and social conversation... Interluxe Group, which focuses on brand experiences and in-person activations; Quinn, a strategic communications agency; and media and digital agency North & Warren are uniting under the Interluxe Group banner.
KITH, which provides corporate reputation and crisis preparation services, is now owned by CEO Stephanie Craig, who has been with the firm since 2021... The Marketing Cloud, a part of Stagwell, introduces several expansions to Agent Cloud, the platform it launched in October 2025 to simplify access to its AI tools and marketing assistants.... Notified launches its AI Press Release Optimizer.
