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Praytell is expanding its Influence Department—which unites media, creators and social under one team. To power the practice, Praytell is growing its suite of proprietary services. That growth includes its proprietary Influence Mapping, a data-driven service that analyzes how audiences discover, consume and act on information, and Praytell PLUS, its network of journalists and creators who support strategic planning. In addition, Swingset Studio , Praytell’s AI Innovation Lab, has launched Praytell PulseCheck, which turns signals from the past and present into a view of what’s next by analyzing historical coverage, consumer conversation and search behavior. Led by Praytell EVP Ciara Benko, the department has also brought on Catherine O’Neill (formerly of WPP/Village Marketing) as SVP of creator marketing & paid media and Paige Weber (formerly of Omnicom/FleishmanHillard) as SVP of media. “With this incredible leadership team in place, we aren't just adapting to how influence has changed—we're giving brands the blueprint they need to rebuild relevance, harness the parasocial advantage, and drive real business impact,” said Praytell CEO Beth Cleveland.
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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. Canopy Brand Group's branding and creative services will combine with LRJ PR & Communications' media networks, affiliate marketing capabilities and influencer relations to create a unified creative-to-PR engine. The joint agency’s capabilities will extend across three key areas: strategic brand & innovation (creating brands through consumer insights, innovation strategy, naming, positioning, visual identity, packaging, digital experiences, and AI-powered brand development); integrated growth marketing (connecting brand strategy with content, social media, paid media, digital experiences, experiential marketing and commerce); and end-to-end brand launch & scale (delivering a seamless go-to-market model). “By joining forces with Canopy Brand Group, LRJ PR is building an ecosystem where storytelling is hardwired into the visual and digital foundation of a brand from day one— giving clients the agility of a boutique team with the full-scale capabilities of a major agency network,” said LRJ PR co-founder Jennifer Florenza.
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(L-R) Yaneiza Echezarraga and Claudia Solis, co-founders of TMM
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Twin Minds Media, an integrated PR and communications agency specializing in the Hispanic market, increases the scope of its services in an effort to help brands build deeper connections with audiences through culture, storytelling, media and experiences. Under the new structure, Twin Minds Media will operate across five divisions: TMM PR (Hispanic public relations, media relations, thought leadership, and strategic communications); TMM Influencer (Hispanic influencer marketing strategy and campaigns rooted in cultural relevance); TMM Social (social media strategy, content, and community engagement for brands); TMM Studios (video, audio, and podcast production); and TMM Experiences (IRL events, activations, and brand experiences). “Hispanic audiences don’t experience brands through isolated channels. Culture happens across conversations, creators, communities, live experiences, and media,” said Yaneiza Echezarraga, Twin Minds Media co-founder and partner Yaneiza Echezarraga. “Our expansion allows us to bring those touchpoints together so brands can engage Hispanic audiences in more meaningful and authentic ways.”
MMGY and Las Vegas-based R&R partners are joining forces under parent company MMGY Global... HarrisQuest, the brand and reputation intelligence platform from The Harris Poll, launches HarrisQuest MCP (Model Context Protocol), which lets users easily connect an AI assistant to external data and tools... Curious Orange, a Dublin-based firm that offers strategy, creative design, digital performance marketing, and AI-enabled workflows, launches Curious Orange Live, a dedicated live experiential marketing agency.
The Messina Group is rebranding as Fortius Global and opening an office in London. Jim Messina, who launched the firm in 2013 after serving as campaign manager for Obama for America, will serve as CEO of Fortius Global and continue to set the vision, strategy, and execution for Fortius and its companies... The New York Chapter of the National Investor Relations Institute names the new members of its NextGen Committee for the 2026-2027 term... Billion Dollar Boy, a social and influencer marketing agency with offices in New York and London, acquires Santa Monica, CA-headquartered Creator Authority.
Slowey McManus Communications is receiving a majority stake investment from Adi Sarosa, founder and managing partner of AA24 Communications... Seven Letter, a Washington, D.C.-based bipartisan strategic communications and public affairs firm, marks its 20th anniversary... Jack Morton launches a new global brand identity.
Peregrine, which specializes in asset and wealth management, adds a Los Angeles office to its locations in New York and London... The Dilenschneider Group, which was founded by Hill & Knowlton CEO Robert Dilenschneider, marks 35 years in business... Meltwater launches Intelligence is Always in Style, a marketing campaign based on a short-film series starring actress Kim Cattrall.
53Six, a Dublin- and London-based sports marketing agency, is acquired by Irish experience and entertainment group FUEL... Blue Highway Advisory releases a report that looks at how the shift from CEO to AI has changed the way in which consumers access information, and offers advice on how to handle the new landscape... Get Engaged, whose services include campaign ideation, social media management, influencer marketing, celebrity partnerships, content production and paid media, joins SAMY, a social-first agency headquartered in Madrid. 
