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Vested forms a strategic partnership with Fintel Connect, a growth marketing platform built for the financial industry. The partnership will focus on driving growth for banks and financial brands through affiliate marketing. Vested says that on average, affiliate marketing drives up to 40 percent of financial brands’ net new accounts, making it one of the most impactful growth channels available. By providing Vested clients with Fintel Connect’s network of over 5,000 finance-focused affiliates, influencers and media partners, the collaboration will let financial institutions expand their reach, improve ROI and acquire high-quality customers through targeted, compliant and data-driven affiliate programs. “Through our partnership with Fintel Connect, we’re giving clients access to a purpose-built affiliate platform for financial services,” said Vested group CEO Binna Kim. “Together, we’re helping banks, fintechs and other financial institutions scale their acquisition engines while maintaining brand safety, compliance, and integrity.”
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WPP launches WPP Open Pro, a new edition of its AI marketing platform WPP Open, which will provide a range of integrated, AI-powered delivery models. The new offering is meant to expand the company’s reach while giving existing clients an efficient way to leverage WPP’s platform and tools. It will build on WPP Open by packaging three connected functional areas into a simple interface that gives marketing teams—from established enterprises and WPP clients to emerging businesses—options to let them plan with AI-powered strategy, create content at scale, and publish content directly to major ad platforms. “We’re adding WPP Open Pro to our offer, a powerful new edition that puts our AI advantage directly into the hands of a much wider array of brands and businesses,” said Cindy Rose, CEO of WPP. “This is about transforming how marketing is delivered, expanding our total addressable market, and giving more brands the tools they need to lead in the AI era.”
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MikeWorldWide is hosting a webinar on Nov. 3 at 12:30 p.m. designed to help senior communicators navigate the opportunities of AI. The Platform Fluency Initiative Webinar will take attendees through the principles of when, how and why to integrate AI across the communications function. The session will feature Carreen Winters (president of reputation), Megan Hueter (EVP of digital innovation), and Sal Della Monica (EVP of integration and marketing), along with Marc Lavallee, emerging technology and AI strategist and former head of R&D for the New York Times. They’ll address how communicators can evolve their AI use, taking it from just increasing efficiency to achieving true effectiveness.
Praytell expands its Influence Department—which unites media, creators and social under one team... LRJ PR & Communications and Canopy Brand Group form an alliance that the firms say will bridge the operational divide between high-end brand design and strategic public relations... Twin Minds Media, Hispanic market specialist, increases the scope of its services in an effort to help brands build deeper connections with audiences through culture, storytelling, media and experiences. 
The People Platform, part of Stagwell's The Marketing Cloud, rebrands as Numetrix... Zapwater Communications has earned 17 finalist honors across two PR competitions: eight at the 68th Annual Golden Trumpet Awards, presented by the Publicity Club of Chicago, and nine at the 2026 PRSA Chicago Skyline Awards.. The Florida Public Relations Association presented 122 awards to individuals and teams from across the state at its 69th annual Golden Image and 3rd Annual Pinnacle Awards gala.
The Motion Agency acquires Vehr Communications, a Cincinnati-based strategic communications firm, effective Oct. 1... Lyceus Group, which specializes in financial services, is named a finalist for Public Relations Campaign at the 2026 ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Awards... IPSY, a curated beauty membership platform, launches IPSY Marketing Solutions, a full-funnel marketing and sales acceleration engine. 
Fire on the Hill, which has offices in London, Manchester, New York and Paris, is providing pro bono communications support to the Intergenerational Foundation, the UK's leading authority on intergenerational fairness... The PRSA-NY Big Apple Awards Gala on Sept. 17 will have Gio Benitez, co-anchor of the weekend edition of “Good Morning America” and ABC News transportation correspondent, serving as emcee... CasePR, a boutique litigation communications firm, launches in Portland, OR.
inFocus, which works with entertainment, media and innovation brands in the US Hispanic market and Latin America, expands into Mexico... Modern Currency Public Relations, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2027, launches an AI visibility & generative engine optimization practice... Adfactors PR, India’s largest reputation and critical issues advisory, acquires Australian communication consultancy SenateSHJ.
