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The Pollack Group launches its Brand Visibility Index, a research series that examines how brands are represented, ranked and cited by generative AI platforms. Powered by Sited, the agency’s Generative Engine Optimization and online visibility solution, the Index is designed to provide a snapshot of which brands are winning in AI search and what is driving their visibility. The inaugural Index focuses on the back-to-school retail season, analyzing how AI engines respond to questions from customers shopping for college dorm essentials. TPG focused on six national retailers: Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, IKEA, Target, The Container Store, and Walmart. Among the index’s findings: Target and IKEA were each mentioned in approximately 30 percent of analyzed AI answers, while Amazon, the next-highest performer, appeared in just 8.7 percent. It also found that both social media and earned media are key players when it comes to AI visibility. “The way consumers discover brands is changing quickly, and simply ranking well in traditional search is no longer the whole picture,” said The Pollack Group SVP Jackie Liu. “Our Sited solution provides a way to measure that new landscape and identify what brands can do to compete within it.”
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PARC Solutions, a New York- and London-based advisory firm offering strategic guidance across governance, regulatory strategy, risk, cybersecurity and operational readiness, forms a strategic collaboration with Guillot Consulting, a provider of lobbying, government relations, political advocacy, and business development services. PARC Solutions and Guillot Consulting will continue to operate as separate firms and will collaborate on engagements where their complementary capabilities can provide additional value to clients. "By bringing together our capabilities in direct advocacy, strategic communications and coalition building with PARC's independent governance and regulatory advisory at the board and C-suite level, we can help clients navigate complex issues with greater alignment, clarity and impact," said Guillot Consulting CEO and founder Jeff Guillot.
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| Heidi Otway |
SalterMitchell PR, a Tallahassee, FL-based firm, wins a 2026 Florida Public Relations Association Golden Image Award for “Fluent in Floridian,” a podcast hosted by SMPR president and partner Heidi Otway and CEO April Salter. Otway is also IPREX global president. The podcast, which features conversations from a range of Florida voices, more than doubled its audience growth over the past year through a strategic content plan, expanded video production and targeted social media promotion. The agency was also recognized for a public relations campaign surrounding the groundbreaking of Charlie Ward Champions Ranch, a local nonprofit organization. The campaign focused on elevating awareness of the nonprofit as a premier sports destination.
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.
inFocus, which works with entertainment, media and innovation brands in the US Hispanic market and Latin America, expands into Mexico... Modern Currency Public Relations, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2027, launches an AI visibility & generative engine optimization practice... Adfactors PR, India’s largest reputation and critical issues advisory, acquires Australian communication consultancy SenateSHJ.
