Tech Initiative: If 2016 was an indication, Finn Partners rarely sits still. After a slew of acquisitions last year, this week it will announce it’s created an initiative catering to brands in the cutting-edge technology space. Called Next Tech, it aims to help brands in artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies explain their businesses. In a release Finn covers material similar to our story on page 2 about how a tech revolution in business is imminent, based on digital AI sensing “one’s surroundings, know[ing] one’s preferences from past behavior and subtly guid[ing] people and machines through their daily lives…” What makes Next Tech personnel better able to represent high-tech brands? They are “experts in understanding the complex nuances of the effects of technology on people and businesses, especially since some of the new technologies, such as AI and blockchain, can be intimidating,” Sabrina Horn, managing partner, tells us. Andrew Corcione, partner, based in Finn’s San Francisco office, is leading Next Tech.
Being Mary Jane: From high tech to just plain high. The North 6th Agency in NYC Jan. 19 unveiled a unit dedicated to “help companies in the legal cannabis industry elevate brand awareness on a national level and within mainstream media.” Called the N6A Cannabis Services Group, North 6th obviously could have chosen from a, er, garden of humorous phrases to announce the new business, but chose an interactive press release that used formal language (but did the release need to say “legal” cannabis industry?) and included a link to a testimonial video from a customer. The release also said N6A director Robert Vanisko will head the group and that it’s seeking to grow its team to staff the new business.
Trust Issues: Lessons abound for communicators in Edelman’s annual Trust Barometer, which found its largest-ever decline in the public’s trust of government, business, media and NGOs. Media trust fell to 43%, including record lows in 17 countries. Government (41% trust) is the least-trusted institution in half of the 28 countries in the survey. Often a target, CEO credibility fell 12 points globally to an all-time low of 37%. Yet business is seen as the only one that can make a difference. 75% of respondents say companies can increase profits and do good in their communities. The consequence of this lack of trust, says Edelman boss Richard Edelman, is “virulent populism and nationalism as the mass population has taken control away from the elites.” The 17th annual study says economic and societal fears include corruption (40%), eroding social values (25%) and the pace of innovation (22%).
M&A: Digital agency Walk West is merging with Raleigh-based Greenroom Communications. Greenroom managing partner Sharon Delaney McCloud joins as partner at Walk West, while managing partners Penn and Kim Holderness become advisors.
People: Burson-Marsteller named Helaine Klasky chair, U.S. public affairs and crisis practice, reporting to Mike Fernandez, U.S. CEO. Klasky comes from GE, where she was CCO for GE Energy Management. – Target promoted Rick Gomez to EVP/CMO. He’ll report to Target’s chairman/CEO Brian Cornell, and serve as a member of Target’s Leadership Team. Prior to joining Target in 2013, Gomez had positions at PepsiCo, Quaker Oats and MillerCoors. – APCO named Raisa Sheynberg director in its global solutions practice. Sheynberg formerly was director for international economic affairs at the National Security Council. – WE Communications named Matthew Ashworth GM/SVP for its Seattle office, a newly created role. Ashworth most recently was VP, technology, Porter Novelli. – Taftnamed Jon Shure senior director. Shure was governor Jim Florio’s communications director (1990-93). – The Dalton Agency named Kassi Belz VP in its Jacksonville, Florida, office, a new position. It’s a return for Belz, who started at Dalton. She’d recently been a partner/president, MassMedia in Las Vegas. – With mixed emotions we announce one of our regular measurement contributors, Margot Savell, has retired as SVP, head of global measurement, at Hill & Knowlton Strategies Research + Data Insights. After 30+ years in PR and journalism Margot deserves to enjoy a wine-filled retirement (besides a PR measurement maven, Margot is a longtime wine blogger). But we’re sad her wise words will no longer grace these pages. A member of the PR News Measurement Hall of Fame, Margot’s place in measurement is secure. Says fellow Measurement Hall of Famer Katie Paine, Margot “was critical in creating the Conclave on Social Media Measurement Standards…she stuck with it when no one else was paying attention, forced everyone to weigh in, and was a powerhouse in getting everyone to the table and in agreement. We would not have social media measurement standards without her.” Amen.