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SourceCode Communications acquires Rally Point Public Relations. Rally Point’s team will join SourceCode Communications immediately, integrating both client portfolios. By integrating SourceCode’s Storyhub, a proprietary human and AI insight engine, with Rally Point’s editorial strengths, the acquisition is aimed at delivering sharper positioning and storytelling across earned, owned and paid channels. Rally Point co-founder and managing partner John Cook will now head up SourceCode’s media strategy and fintech teams, while Dorian Langlais (also a Rally Point co-founder and managing partner) will depart to found a consultancy focused on diversity and cultural issues. “By bringing together Rally Point’s unparalleled editorial excellence and our own AI and tech innovation, we’re uniquely positioned to deliver campaigns and guidance that earn trust, drive action and deliver bottom-line results,” said SourceCode co-founder Becky Honeyman.
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Ruder Finn launches its AI Accelerator, a set of tools and capabilities that will be embedded across client work, agency workflows, and talent recruitment and development, as a way of building AI-native expertise across disciplines. The tools have already been integrated into 88 percent of the agency’s core U.S. client accounts across major tech, big pharma, leading financial services, and retail and durable consumer goods. In addition to establishing a dedicated model for operationalizing AI workflows, the AI Accelerator will work to develop the next generation of AI-native talent, welcoming the first class of AI Accelerator Trainees in Spring 2026 and launching an AI-focused track within Ruder Finn’s Executive Trainee program. “The real differentiator today is no longer access to AI tools, it’s whether organizations can apply and operationalize AI in ways that consistently and meaningfully improve outcomes,” said Ruder Finn CEO Kath Bloomgarden. “Rather than treating AI as something separate or supplemental, Ruder Finn’s AI Accelerator is about embedding AI into the fabric of our work, so it complements human creativity and enhances client impact at every stage.”
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Ceisler Media & Issue Advocacy, a communications, media strategy and public relations firm, is merging with Athena Global Advisors. Ceisler Media, which is becoming an Athena company, will continue to do business as Ceisler Media, maintaining its brand, culture and operational independence. Founder Larry Ceisler and the Ceisler Media leadership team will remain in place and maintain its staff and offices in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and the Lehigh Valley. The firms began a working relationship in 2020, sharing clients and collaborating on projects where their capabilities were highly complementary. They say the merger will allow them to better support clients in a wide range of sectors, including branding, marketing, communications, issue advocacy, public relations, digital intelligence, data analytics, event strategy and production, and management consulting. "This merger builds on a proven partnership and allows Athena to expand our in-house capabilities, scale how we serve clients, and accelerate growth for both our business and our people,” said Athena Global Advisors founder and CEO Maggy Wilkinson.
Matter launches its Review Visibility Management service to address a shift in how companies across verticals earn trust online... A Queens school is putting out the message about Sept. 12, 2001 when people came together to help, comfort, rebuild and unite... Directive expands its Directive Communications division, which will bring PR, organic social, influencer marketing and paid social together under one integrated organization.
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.
