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AKCG – Public Relations Counselors, a Philadelphia-area firm that offers crisis planning, crisis management, media training and media relations, acquires Hennes Communications. Founded by Bruce Hennes in 1989, Hennes Communications has built a reputation for advising organizations through sensitive issues, providing crisis communications response, planning and media training to a broad range of organizations. The acquisition expands the depth and reach of AKCG, which will now provide a full complement of crisis communications, crisis planning, crisis management, spokesperson training and media relations services. Bruce Hennes will serve as president of AKCG’s new Hennes division, with Hennes managing partner Thom Fladung coming on as SVP. “This acquisition reflects the depth of expertise in our craft, as well as our commitment to delivering impactful results to our partners operating in sensitive, nuanced, and pivotal moments,” said AKCG chief executive officer Chris Lukach.
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The Martin Group, an integrated marketing communications firm headquartered in Buffalo, acquires creative, brand strategy and content studio Mr. Smith Agency. As part of the agreement, Mr. Smith will join The Martin Group as a distinct division and brand, with all eight employees—including founder Rob Dimmer and partners Chrissy Pyne and Collin Wittman— joining the firm. Mr. Smith clients will continue working with their existing account teams, while gaining access to The Martin Group’s capabilities and resources. The deal expands The Martin Group’s offering across branding, digital marketing, social media, and video and in-house production. “There is immense value in the boutique nature of Mr. Smith and that is why we plan to preserve the brand as a dynamic division and extension of our agency,” said The Martin Group chief business officer Matt Davison.
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ExpertClick, a platform connecting journalists with qualified interview sources, is offering a database of 357 top U.S. media outlets, including newspapers, magazines, news/talk radio stations, and nationally recognized talk radio shows, to experts who register for a complimentary press room on the platform. The list includes the top 100 U.S. newspapers by circulation, top 100 national magazines, 100 leading news/talk radio stations and 57 talk radio shows. It is designed to support a wide range of outreach efforts, including book publicity, expert positioning, news release distribution, and broadcast interview bookings. "This is a practical tool built for speed," said ExpertClick editor and publicher Mitchell Davis.
FleishmanHillard has launched an “America 250” unit to help clients capitalize on the events tied to the celebration of the semiquincentennial of the US.
Supreme Group launches Supreme Intelligence FDE+ (Forward Deployed Expert), a service model that embeds AI-native domain experts directly inside client organizations to architect and build custom AI solutions... LaVoie Strategic Communications Group announced that the federal trademark registrations for its LHS Immersion and LHS Fifteen-Slide Presentation have been renewed... Sprout Social introduces an AI-powered social intelligence platform designed to help organizations operationalize real-time, unfiltered market conversations at scale.
Ever Wondered, a London-based advisory firm focused on helping companies deliver clear, consistent messages across every channel in AI search, launches... The Museum of Public Relations launches platform that allows users to connect with an AI persona of Edward Bernays, based entirely on his own writings... PRGN releases a study in which 89 percent of business leaders surveyed said hey find brand influence as “extremely” or “very” important.
BGR Analytics rates Texas as the best state for AI investors to place their money, according to its newly launched BGR Best States for AI Investment Index... Pierpont Communications, a PR and integrated digital marketing agency headquartered in Houston, expands into South Florida... The Pollack Group names Project Petals as the recipient of its 2026 Big Red Grant.
LaVoie Strategic Communications Group launches an integrated market platform and redesigned website meant to reflect the agency’s evolving role advising healthcare, life sciences and government organizations... Highwire publishes “Passing the Torch: A Framework for CEO Transition Communication for Professional Services Businesses"... Auris, a communications lab backed by a strategic investment from Helios & Partners, launches.
