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energi PR, an independent communications agency based in Montréal and Toronto, marks its 35th anniversary. It is the exclusive Canadian affiliate of DC-headquartered GHMC (Global Health Marketing & Communications). During the 35th anniversary year, the agency is paying tribute to co-founder Esther Buchsbaum, who passed away in 2022 after a battle with glioblastoma. Buchsbaum and energi PR co-founder and CEO Carol Levine were long-time participants in PRSA’s Counselors Academy. The agency’s client roster includes Bausch + Lomb, Melitta, BeOne Medicines, Servier, Eisai, Park’N Fly and 123Dentist.
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| Paolo Zanetto |
Barabino & Partners and Community, which are part of Italy’s Excellera Advisory Group, snag top positions in the MergerLinks rankings in the PR Consultants in EMEA category. The two agencies, Italy’s largest by size and value, were the only Italian firms featured. The EMEA rankings also recognized Brunswick Group, FGS Global, Kekst CNC, FTI Consulting, Headland Consultancy and Teneo. Community recorded 80 accredited transactions, with a total value of $50B, while Barabino & Partners registered 104 deals worth $14B. “The MergerLinks recognition confirms the strength and quality of our firms—a milestone made possible by the daily work of our teams in Italy and abroad,” said Excellera CEO Paolo Zanetto.
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Honeyjar, an “AI co-pilot” that will leverage brand context, goals and campaign history into a collaborative workspace providing communications & PR pros with assistance across the end-to-end execution of communications, announces a $2M pre-seed fundraise and the launch of its Early Access waitlist. The round was led by Human Ventures CEO and general partner Heather Hartnett and SNR Ventures founder Kevin Mahaffey, Founder of SNR Ventures. Honeyjar unifies core workflows and data including strategic messaging, announcements, media research, list building, contact management, events and speaking programs, briefing docs, coverage tracking, sentiment, and reporting—bringing what the company calls “purpose-built AI” to communicators. "Communicators spend too many hours on building media lists, creating briefing docs, chasing event details and stitching AI tools together," said Michelle Masek, CEO and Founder of Honeyjar. "We're building Honeyjar to be a secure, collaborative workspace with AI agents that work alongside you and your team, helping you shape stories, find opportunities, run campaigns, and measure impact effectively and efficiently."
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. 
