News of Firms

Fifteen Minutes managing partner Ryan Croy is launching PublicHaus, a PR and digital marketing shop that will connect clients with customized services through a network of independent practitioners. With access to a group of nearly 75 marketers, PublicHaus will offer services that include media relations, influencer marketing, social media marketing, website design, app development, and search engine optimization. It will be run in partnership with digital strategist Natacha Gaymer-Jones, formerly VP/Los Angeles director for San Diego-based BrightHaus digital. Croy will remain a consultant to Fifteen Minutes, and that agency’s chairman, Howard Bragman, will serve as crisis communications counsel within the PublicHaus network.”

Theater press agents Molly Barnett and Chelsea Nachman unveiled Grapevine Public Relations, which specializes in representing theatrical talent. Formerly at theater PR firm DKC/O&M, Barnett and Nachman have worked on such shows as “Dear Evan Hansen,” “Kinky Boots,” “Fun Home” and “Beautiful.” Several creatives associated with those shows, including actors Jessie Mueller, Billy Porter and Blair Brown as well as composers Cyndi Lauper, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul and Jeanine Tesori, have signed on as Grapevine clients. Barnett and Nachman will continue to work with DKC/O&M on “Dear Evan Hansen.” In addition, DKC/O&M staffer Andy Snyder has started up a writing-focused agency, Thinkwell NYC.

Crosby Marketing Communications recently celebrated its fifth annual Inspiring Actions That Matter™ Day of Service. The agency closed its Annapolis, Md., headquarters and Washington, D.C., office for the day, so members could participate in service projects benefiting local charities and nonprofit organizations. The Crosby team donated 560 hours of community service through service projects at three organizations: the Capital Area Food Bank, located in Northeast Washington, D.C.; Maryland Therapeutic Riding in Crownsville, Md.; and the Oyster Restoration Program of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, located in Shady Side, Md. Crosby also made a $5,000 donation to each organization plus making a contribution of $5,000 for hurricane relief efforts in the United States. “We are proud that in the five years of this service program, Crosby has donated 2,040 hours of employee time and $70,000 to charities and nonprofits,” said agency president and CEO Raymond Crosby.