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The Worldcom Public Relations Group votes Australian agency Mahlab into its global partnership. The Sydney-based firm also has offices in Melbourne; Auckland, New Zealand; and Singapore. It complements current Brisbane-based partner Phillips Group. Mahlab has partnered with member-based and B2B organizations in technology, engineering, financial services and other complex industries for almost three decades. “Mahlab brings a progressive mindset to their craft and our partnership, ensuring they not only deliver best in class public relations solutions to their clients, but maintain a forward-looking mindset and adoption of technologies that are further deepening impact on client successes,” said Worldcom recruitment chair Björn Mogensen.
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Ranko Media, an SEO and digital PR agency, releases a new report that says artificial intelligence is fueling a surge in demand for Digital PR. According to Ranko’s analysis of search trend data, spikes in interest for ChatGPT and Perplexity closely align with increased searches for digital PR. The report’s authors believe the answer is rooted in how AI systems evaluate and surface information, and how marketing professionals are responding to this. “As AI search engines and assistants get better at surfacing sources, brands have realized that mentions, citations and real editorial coverage matter more than ever,” said Ranko Media founder and CEO Nick Rubright. “If you want to be visible in AI search results, you need real-world credibility signals. That’s exactly what digital PR is built to create.”
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Beekeeper Group, a Washington, DC-based public affairs and communications agency, launches its Future of Advocacy report. The report finds that while audiences are largely receptive to advocacy communications, information overload has created an environment in which organizations have to adjust their strategies to earn engagement. Nearly half of the American voters surveyed (45 percent) for the report said they had been asked to take action on a social or political issue in recent memory. Out of those, over three quarters (76 percent) actually take action on the action, and even more (80 percent) reported going on to research the issue or cause further. In addition, 78 percent of those who took action expect to hear from the organization again, and 62 percent want some kind of follow-up. To reach even higher levels of engagement with advocacy communications, organizations need to take a personal (not performative) and make a direct connection with their audience’s concern.
Brunner, a Pittsburgh-based integrated marketing agency, acquires AdSkate, an AI-powered creative analytics and marketing intelligence platform that helps brands and agencies optimize advertising performance... Augustine Agency launches Flavor Theory, a foodservice marketing practice aimed at helping restaurants, food manufacturers, distributors and institutional dining organizations grow their brands and businesses... The Acceleration Community of Companies releases a report finding that almost half (49 percent) of Gen Z sports fans say they have become interested in a new sport or athlete because of fan-created content or something entirely outside the sport. 
VPE Communications, which helps organizations authentically connect with diverse audiences, celebrates 38 years in business and announces a new ownership structure... Praytell expands into the Asian market with the opening of a new office in Singapore... The International Public Relations Network unveils a new visual identity and redesigned website. 
SourceCode Communications launches SourceCode Germany, establishing the agency's first office in continental Europe... Clario Group acquires Ted Miller Group, a Miami-founded agency focused on clients in the technology, travel & leisure and financial services sectors... Global Situation Room’s Global Risk Advisory Council is hosting a July 23 webinar that will go over the results of its new Reputation Risk Index.
Havas acquires MUT, a Barcelona-based firm focused on experiential marketing and sustainable events... IPREX lauches its AI Task Force...D S Simon Media, one of the first companies to produce a satellite media tour, celebrates its 40th anniversary... Washington Women in Public Relations is sponsoring an event that shows communications pros who work with associations how they can get their messages across clearly, credibly and courageously. “How Associations Lead with Strategic Storytelling,” at 6 p.m. on July 16.
TEAM LEWIS starts up its AI Practice... Thunderly launches a year-long storytelling campaign focused on how franchising can provide a pathway to business ownership... JIN, a European communications consulting group, introduces "AI Campaigning", a corporate offering designed to model and anticipate stakeholder behavior.
