Accounts in Transit: Fire on the Hill Lands JERA Nex
Fire on the Hill has been hired to handle public‑relations, media and strategic communications for JERA Nex’s UK operations, the renewable‑energy arm of Japan’s largest power generator and a 50% owner of the JERA Nex bp offshore‑wind JV. TEAM LEWIS was appointed agency‑of‑record for PetScreening, delivering integrated PR and brand campaigns for its pet‑friendly short‑term‑rental platform. Echo‑Factory secured the agency‑of‑record role for Catalina Island Health, providing strategic marketing and patient‑acquisition programs for the island’s sole medical facility. These three deals illustrate how niche agencies are expanding their footprints across energy, hospitality tech and regional healthcare markets.
Teneo Handles Seabed Mining Deal
Teneo is advising the merger of American Ocean Minerals Corp. with NASDAQ‑listed Odyssey Marine Exploration, forming a $1 billion deep‑sea critical minerals platform under the AOMC name. The combined entity will access more than 500 km² of seabed sites rich in nickel,...
Qatar Foundation Enrolls Venable
The Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development has engaged Venable to provide U.S. government‑relations services, paying a $25,000 monthly retainer. The firm will work to shape the Foundation’s public profile among Congress and the administration, ensuring policymakers understand...
Why Brand Size No Longer Determines Visibility in AI Answers
The rise of AI answer engines is reshaping how brand visibility is earned, shifting focus from sheer scale to the clarity, credibility, and structure of content. Traditional PR tactics that rely on reach and long‑standing narratives no longer guarantee inclusion...
PR Firm News: ChangeMakers Acquires The Creative Dept.
ChangeMakers, a North‑American strategy and communications firm with over 400 staff, announced the acquisition of The Creative Dept., a boutique brand‑strategy consultancy. The Creative Dept.’s co‑founders, Chris Hirsch and Nellie Kim, will join ChangeMakers as chief innovation officer in Toronto...
Teneo Tees Off with Justin Rose
Teneo, a global advisory firm with about 1,800 professionals, has signed Olympic gold‑medalist golfer Justin Rose as a three‑year brand ambassador. Rose, world No. 7 and recent Farmers Insurance Open champion, will wear the Teneo logo on his left sleeve at...
Is It Ever Time to Fire a PR Client or Quit the Account?
The article examines when PR agencies should terminate a client relationship or walk away from an account, highlighting both high‑profile examples like Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s revolving door of publicists and everyday agency‑client dynamics. It outlines common red flags...
Accounts in Transit: ELMNTL Picks Up Bruneis Tourism Development Department
ELMNTL, a Denver‑based tourism marketing firm, has been appointed global agency of record for Brunei’s Tourism Development Department, marking the Sultanate’s first use of an international agency for digital storytelling and content strategy. The firm will oversee social media, creative...
Stagwell Names AI Chief
Stagwell announced the creation of a senior vice‑president, enterprise AI solutions role, appointing Michael Twedell to lead it. Twedell will drive the go‑to‑market strategy for the firm’s AI‑driven offerings, including The Machine, the industry’s first agentic operating system, and the...
Kekst CNC Works Everstream's Sale to Blue Bird
Everstream, a Cleveland‑based business‑only fiber network, received bankruptcy court approval to sell nearly all of its assets to Kansas City‑based Bluebird Fiber for $385 million. The transaction, represented by Kekst CNC, will combine the two operators into one of the Midwest’s...
Edelman's Mitra Shifts to Burson
Veteran communications executive Sujata Mitra is leaving Edelman after seven years to join Burson Cohn & Wolfe as U.S. chair of earned media, effective April 20. At Edelman she built a multi‑sector earned media practice and advised C‑suite leaders on reputation...
Accounts in Transit: Matter Picks Up Clear Channel Outdoor
Matter has been appointed agency of record for Clear Channel Outdoor, tasked with expanding the out‑of‑home giant's earned media, social and thought‑leadership footprint. Marino will lead branding and executive storytelling for Hillpointe, a Sun Belt multifamily developer seeking greater market...
MWW Puts Cornell in Charge of Trenton
Jackie Cornell has been appointed vice president of government relations and public affairs to lead MikeWorldwide’s Trenton office. She brings more than 20 years of experience across federal, state and campaign environments, with deep expertise in healthcare, reproductive health and...
RFK Jr. Aide Takes BGR Health Post
Policy advisor Charlie Chapman, who counseled Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Medicare and Medicaid issues, has joined BGR’s health and life‑sciences practice as a vice‑president. Chapman previously coordinated DHHS actions with the White House and...
FTI Handles McCormick's Deal for Unilever Foods
FTI Consulting is handling media for McCormick as it merges with Unilever Foods in a $45 billion transaction. The combined entity will generate roughly $20 billion in annual revenue, anchored by Unilever's Knorr and Hellmann’s brands and McCormick's spice portfolio. McCormick shareholders...
PR Firm News: DGA Conducts Briefing on Gulf War
DGA Group will host a virtual executive briefing on April 1 to dissect the Gulf war’s trajectory and its ripple effects on multinational operations. The session features CEO Prem Kumar alongside senior policymakers and regional experts. Meanwhile, AI‑native marketing platform Kana...
Kekst CNC Appoints Estin Co-CEO
Kekst CNC, the strategic communications subsidiary of Publicis Groupe, named longtime executive Lyndsey Estin as co‑CEO of its U.S. operations on March 30, 2026, succeeding Jeremy Fielding. She will share global leadership with London‑based co‑CEO Richard Campbell, who continues to run non‑U.S. business....
On the Move: Nissan Nabs Cooney for VP Slot
Nissan announced Jay Cooney as vice‑president of regional communications for Nissan Americas, effective March 30. Cooney arrives from Enviri after senior roles at PepsiCo, Ford, GM and DaimlerChrysler, succeeding Brian Brockman. The appointment follows parallel hires at Stratacomm and Crossroads Strategies,...
FGS Reps Brown-Forman as It Talks Merger
Brown‑Forman, represented by FGS Global, announced it is in merger discussions with French liquor giant Pernod Ricard. Both companies describe the potential deal as a merger of equals that would create a global spirits leader with a balanced geographic footprint. Pernod Ricard...
Sorrell Goes Hollywood
S4 Capital announced a joint venture with New Element Media to produce the documentary “Chasing the Dream,” which will air on Disney+ and focus on the human stories of the 2026 World Cup. The project is driven by S4’s Monks...
PR Firm News: Signal AI Acquires Memo
Signal AI announced the acquisition of Memo, a publisher‑sourced readership platform, to embed article‑level audience metrics into its AI‑driven reputation and risk intelligence suite for clients such as Google and Pepsi. The deal gives chief communications officers a more granular...
On the Move: Alpine Group Hires Mencher
The Alpine Group appointed former Senate Appropriations staffer Daniel Mencher as senior vice president to deepen its federal funding advisory capabilities. Public Policy Holding Company (PPHC) promoted Matthew Mazzanti to chief administrative officer, expanding his remit over strategic execution and...
Coinbase Calls in Checkmate
Coinbase has hired Checkmate Government Relations, a firm with strong ties to the Trump administration, to manage its digital‑asset lobbying. The move comes as the Senate debates the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, the most extensive crypto‑regulation proposal to date....
PR Firm News: UpSpring Launches 'Play with Matches'
UpSpring announced the launch of “Play with Matches,” a weekly podcast that spotlights architects, designers, marketers and industry visionaries, with its first seven‑episode season distributed via the SURROUND Podcast Network. Blockworks introduced Blockworks Investor Relations, a platform that leverages real‑time...
Timing Is Everything: When to Push, Pause or Pivot Media Outreach
The article stresses that timing is a strategic pillar in media relations, urging professionals to push, pause, or pivot outreach based on story relevance and news cycles. It outlines three decision points: push when a story is timely and differentiated,...
On the Move: Shore Fire Media Recruits Barkan for CEO Slot
Shore Fire Media announced Angela Barkan as its new CEO, tasking her with day‑to‑day operations and a fresh revenue strategy. Allied Global Marketing promoted Adam Cunningham to global CEO and Kelly Estrella to COO, emphasizing integrated growth and AI‑driven tools....
Accounts in Transit: F/W/V Salutes Allegiance Flag
French/West/Vaughan (FWV) has signed a public‑relations and integrated‑marketing agreement with Allegiance Flag Supply, a Charleston‑based maker of U.S.–made American flags, to boost its national presence amid the America250 flag‑in‑classrooms initiative. FINN Partners was appointed agency of record for Benchmark Wine...
PPHC Picks Up Westminster Policy Partners
Public Policy Holding Company (PPHC) has acquired Westminster Policy Partners Limited (WPI Strategy) to broaden its economic‑driven analysis and advocacy communications. Founded in 2014, WPI Strategy combines policy advisory with an in‑house economics team led by former EY ITEM Club...
Fast, Vast and Generic: How AI Misuse Can Thwart Your Clients' PR Goals
The article warns PR professionals that using large language models like ChatGPT to draft media responses can damage both client and agency reputations. It highlights real‑world scenarios where AI‑generated replies are spotted as inauthentic, undermining subject‑matter authority. Practical guidance includes...
How Consumer Brands Can Win the Misinformation Wars
Consumer brands now face a relentless misinformation economy, where AI‑generated content, social media chatter, and rogue posts can trigger rapid brand crises. Misleading narratives spread across Reddit, X, TikTok and traditional outlets, forcing companies to allocate resources to constant monitoring...
NYS Targets Tobacco Companies
The New York State Department of Health’s Bureau of Tobacco Control has issued an RFP for a public‑relations firm to design a statewide campaign exposing the tobacco industry’s role in the ongoing epidemic. The initiative will spotlight the industry’s impact...
Miles Partnership Promotes Los Cabos Travel
The Miles Partnership has signed a $985,560 two‑year marketing contract with the Los Cabos Tourism Trust to boost brand awareness across North America. The campaign targets high‑income travelers who take three or more luxury trips annually, highlighting Los Cabos’ exclusive...
Courage Can Hit Differently For Leaders Of Color
Veteran communications leader John G. Clemons discusses how trust, credibility, and courage differ for Black and Brown executives on the Taking the Lead podcast. He cites Paul Robeson, the Obamas, and Ray Day as mentors and stresses that DEI must be...
Scotland's 'Kingdom of Fife' Shops for PR
Scotland’s Kingdom of Fife is issuing a two‑year RFP for a destination‑marketing firm to run its “Welcome to Fife” campaign. The effort seeks to brand the region as a world‑class, sustainable tourism hub, highlighting historic sites, golf courses, fishing villages...
PR Firm News: Sachs Media Launches SachsHEALTH
Sachs Media announced the launch of SachsHEALTH, a dedicated health‑care and life‑sciences PR division that combines public affairs, research, digital advocacy and creative services to run multi‑state policy campaigns. The new unit is led by chief strategy officer Ryan Cohn...
Kudos to Kent for Resigning Counterterrorism Post
Joe Kent announced his resignation as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, citing conscience objections to the ongoing war in Iran, which he argues poses no imminent threat to the United States. In his X post, Kent blamed a misinformation...
On the Move: Global Strategy Group Ups Padilla
Global Strategy Group promoted Marissa Padilla to partner in its Washington, D.C. office, where she will oversee client work, thought leadership, and new‑business initiatives across healthcare, tech, and advocacy. Ballard Partners added Rich Haslewood as a partner, tapping his deep...
Ballard Inks $2M Pact with Libyan Armed Forces
Ballard Partners has signed a six‑month, $2 million agreement to represent the general command of the Libyan Armed Forces, advising on public‑policy positioning, communications, and U.S. government engagement. The contract automatically renews for successive six‑month periods unless either party provides 30‑days...
Why Reputation Is One of Your Most Valuable Assets
In a March 16 podcast, D S Simon Media CEO Doug Simon and 84 Communications founder Rina Foster examined how AI is reshaping reputation risk. They warned that AI‑generated images, audio and video make false information spread faster across platforms. AI‑driven monitoring...
PR Firm News: Mark Allen Acquires Alban Communications
Mark Allen & Co. announced the acquisition of Alban Communications, creating its first Miami office and expanding expertise in Hispanic media, real estate, and health sectors. Meanwhile, law firm Buchalter launched a comprehensive crisis‑management and strategic‑response group that integrates attorneys...
S&P Global Remains Negative on WPP
S&P Global reaffirmed its negative “BBB” rating on WPP, citing ongoing challenges such as stagnant organic revenue, weak profitability, and uncertainty around strategy execution. The rating agency projects a 2‑4% like‑for‑like net revenue decline for 2026, well below peers like...
On the Move: FGS Global Recruits Richier
FGS Global has hired former HSBC Europe banking chief Jean‑Manuel Richier as a senior advisor to strengthen its equity advisory, investor‑relations and financial‑communications services across Europe. The move follows a series of senior appointments at agencies including TEAM LEWIS, Durée & Company and...
PR Firm News: Caster Communications Gets New Owners
Caster Communications was acquired by longtime agency leaders Alexandra Crabb and Peter Girard, with founder Kimberly Lancaster staying on until August 2026 to ensure a smooth handover. DiGennaro Communications launched The Authority Studio, a standalone content‑strategy and production unit led...
W&M Trains Liberian Lawmakers
Washington & Madison (W&M) has signed a year‑long agreement to train members of Liberia’s legislature in the United States. The program will expose lawmakers to democratic governance practices, legislative drafting, committee oversight, ethics frameworks, and constituent engagement through workshops, policy...
On the Move: Narrative Strategies Recruits Bissex
Narrative Strategies appointed former FTC deputy director Chris Bissex as managing director, bringing antitrust and data‑privacy expertise to its client advisory team. PR firm Marino elevated long‑time executive Elizabeth Latino to COO and managing director, tasking her with operational performance...
Navigating the New Food and Beverage Consumer
Food, beverage and agriculture brands face heightened consumer anxiety driven by inflation, job security concerns, and rising healthcare costs, prompting shoppers to seek trusted, value‑focused information. Third‑party validation—through journalists, experts, peers, and AI‑generated summaries—has become central, elevating public relations as...
Media Maneuvers: WaPo Vet Stockwell Takes USAT Post
USA TODAY appointed former Washington Post deputy managing editor Jamie Stockwell as vice president of news, aiming to modernize its newsroom and drive sustainable growth. YouTube launched a pilot likeness‑detection tool for government officials, journalists and political candidates to combat...
Canada Chooses Cogent for Social Audit
Canada’s Washington embassy has engaged Cogent Strategies to conduct a comprehensive social‑media audit of its 68 accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn. The firm will map how U.S. officials, journalists, think tanks and other influencers consume information online, then...
AI Causing Information Credibility Fatigue
A PANBlast survey of 1,000 U.S. adults reveals a growing "AI credibility fatigue" as 66% of respondents feel exhausted constantly verifying AI‑generated content. Fatigue is especially acute among younger users, with 80% of Gen Z and 76% of Millennials reporting the...
Stagwell Posts 2% Q4 Growth
Stagwell reported fourth‑quarter revenue of $807 million, a modest 2% increase, and adjusted EBITDA rose 3% to $129 million. The company highlighted a strategic shift toward artificial‑intelligence‑driven services, positioning AI as the engine for future growth. It also announced a $350 million expansion...
