 |
af&co., a San Francisco-based hospitality marketing and public relations agency founded by Andrew Freeman, is marking its 20th anniversary by expanding its national presence, particularly in Southern California and key travel markets. It is also investing in digital storytelling, content creation and emerging technologies including AI-driven insights. The agency has launched more than 500 restaurants, hotels and lifestyle brands and helped shape the hospitality identity of the Bay Area and beyond. Freeman is also co-founder, along longtime af&co. colleague Candace MacDonald, of Carbonate, a branding, insights and creative strategy focused firm. “Restaurants bring people together in ways few places can,” he said. “That belief has guided af&co. for twenty years, and it continues to inspire everything we do.”
 |
Notified launches Syndicated Articles, a Content OS workflow capability that builds on the reach of GlobeNewswire press releases to amplify corporate stories across thousands of trusted U.S. news sites and improve how brands appear in AI-generated answers. Syndicated Articles, which are separate from a press release and follow a more objective, newsroom-style format, will be promoted organically to readers across media outlets, with the aim of boosting earned coverage of a brand’s story. The capability will be available to GlobeNewswire clients beginning Dec. 8, as either a one-time add-on when issuing a press release or part of an annual subscription package. Beginning Q1 2026, it will be natively built into Notified’s PR platform. Notified will also offer optional editorial services to help develop, refine and optimize an article. “Our new feature within the Content OS workflow helps clients take the structured core of a GlobeNewswire press release and extend it with companion editorial content that lives longer, reaches farther and improves how their brand and their story show up in AI-generated answers,” said Notified president and CEO Erik Carlson.
 |
Crosby Marketing Communications selects four students from Anne Arundel Community College in Anne Arundel County, MD, to participate in its Crosby Marketing Scholars Program. Founded in 2022, the $100,000 program offers AACC students a two-year scholarship providing financial support to pursue studies related to marketing, public relations, creative writing, graphic design, multimedia/video production and web design. Students also receive ongoing guidance from AACC professors and are paired with a Crosby staff member who provides mentoring and career advice. At the end of a student’s two-year participation in the program, they may be considered for internship opportunities at Crosby to gain additional professional experience. “Supporting these students who are the next generation of talent in the advertising and public relations industry is really rewarding,” said Crosby Marketing Communications president and CEO Ray Crosby.
FGS Global launches its AI Advisory practice and acquires Memetica, a specialist technology consultancy in AI-driven threat detection and mitigation across social, dark web and fringe platforms... The Harris Poll, which is part of Stagwell, launches Harris QuestRQ, a reputation system for business, communications and marketing leaders... The Change Agencies, an inclusive communications agency network, brings on The Holliday Collaborative Agency in Indianapolis and Meraki Communications Group in Alexandria, VA, as members.
The Public Relations Global Network adds Agence Profile in Paris and IDDEA Comunicaciones in Bogotá to its membership... Signal Group, a DC-based firm, launches AI Frame, a PA offering to help organizations understand and manage how they appear across Large Language Model AI platforms... Spears Group, a New Orleans-headquartered integrated marketing and advertising agency, sets up shop in Houston... IPREX brings on new partner agencies in Italy, Chicago, Las Vegas and India.
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. 
