 Alicia Ramirez Wyld |
Shelter PR is launching a new film and television division, and has brought on former Paramount SVP field publicity and targeted marketing Alicia Ramirez Wyld to play a key role in its development. The new division expands upon Shelter’s existing roster of film and television business clients, which includes TNT, Netflix, FX, Sony Television, Tina Fey, Steve Carell and Samantha Bee and others. At Paramount, Wyld oversaw regional publicity and promotions activities as well as all experiential marketing; Hispanic, African-American and Asian-American publicity; and religious and family outreach for the company’s films. She has also held senior positions at Focus Features and Warner Bros. “Alicia is a highly respected, savvy and smart executive who is known for her innovative ideas and ability to execute campaigns on a global scale. We couldn’t be more thrilled that she is joining our team,” agency partners Cara Tripicchio, Christine Tripicchio and Marla Farrell said in a statement.
 Shervin Pishevar |
Definers Public Affairs has responded to a defamation suit filed against it by venture capitalist Shervin Pishevar, a major investor in Uber, with a motion to dismiss the charges. Definers—an oppositional research firm founded by former DCI Group vp and campaign manager for the Romney-Ryan 2012 presidential campaign Matt Rhoades—has been accused by Peshawar of spreading damaging and fraudulent stories about him. While Pishevar has acknowledged that he was briefly arrested in London earlier this year after a woman claimed he sexually assaulted her, charges in that case were never filed. Pishevar says that in the wake of that situation, numerous other negative stories were circulated about him, and he places the blame for those stories on Definers. Tim Miller, who opened the company's Silicon Valley office, said that the firm was not behind the alleged smear campaign and called Pishevar's accusations “delusional.” In their motion to dismiss the defamation charges, attorneys for Definers say that “defendants have been targeted because they are a public-relations firm engaged in the protected First Amendment activities of gathering and communicating information.”
 Jeffrey Henning |
A partnership between CommunicationsMatch, a communications agency and freelancer search and hiring platform, and Researchscape International, which provides research services to the communications industry, has resulted in a new next day crisis and opinion survey tool tailored to corporate communications professionals and PR agencies. The service, offered through CommunicationsMatch, lets communicators ask either 500 or 1,000 respondents a list of 10 or 20 questions and have the results data delivered within 24 hours. A 10-question survey of 500 respondents representing the general population is available for $3,995 and a 20-question survey of 1,000 respondents costs $6,495. Custom research options are available for specific audiences and projects. “This is a powerful tool for industry professionals dealing with crisis and other situations where understanding how messages are resonating or quick feedback on the impact on a brand is a priority.” said Jeffrey Henning, founder and president of Researchscape International.
4media group completes its acquisition of Family Features Editorial Syndicate... Illumination PR, which represents lifestyle brands, influencers and celebrities, launches DR Media Group... EAG Advertising and Marketing acquires pay-for-performance firm INK inc. Public Relations. 
LLYC launches Signs of Pride, a campaign that revives the original protest banners of the first Pride marches... The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry forms the Public Relations and Digital Marketing Working Group... Circle of One Marketing, a Miami-based, minority-owned marketing agency, is named official agency of record for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami. 
Vogel Group, a DC-headquartered government affairs and consulting firm, forms a strategic partnership with Montreal-based public affairs firm Boléro Stratégies... Matter Communications launches project-based offerings for B2C companies looking to increase brand awareness and visibility... Tucker/Hall, a Tampa-based PR and public affairs firm, opens a new office in Orlando. 
Why investing in public relations is ultimately about building bridges in a connected world.
Edelman is laying off 330 people (5.3 percent of its workforce) to cope with an anticipated eight percent shortfall in 2024 US revenues, and client demand for one-stop shopping for speciality services.
