Brands are agencies are contemplating if and how to show up authentically at Pride this year amid widespread pullback of diversity, equity and inclusion policies and programs. At Praytell, members of the agency’s LGBTQ+ ERG, Prism, will offer a floating “Pride Day Off” in June so staff can experience Pride the way that feels right for them, Praytell VP and group creative director David Bright says. “A lot is happening right now in the political climate. When we were looking at Pride this year, it felt a little bit different for how we needed to show up and how and what people need,” he says. The initiative is new this year to address some of the external challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community. The agency will also launch a curated Pride content series across social media and tailored internal messaging throughout the month, supplemented by weekly Slack check-ins and an organized in-person meetup.

George P. Johnson (GPJ), the world’s leading experience marketing agency, today announced the promotion of Fiona Bruder to Global Chief Executive Officer. A respected leader with over 25 years of marketing experience, Bruder most recently served as President of GPJ’s Americas operations. She has been a transformative force behind the agency’s growth and global expansion, and is known for cultivating deep client relationships and championing innovation during times of change.

Praytell has been named the global public relations agency of record for home swapping network Kindred. Praytell will be responsible for elevating Kindred’s brand visibility and driving engagement among current and prospective members. The agency will also focus on reinforcing Kindred’s leadership in the travel tech space by highlighting its innovative approach to home swapping. Initially, Praytell’s efforts will concentrate on the US and UK markets. The agency won the account following a competitive RFP process in January and began working with Kindred in February.

Event professionals praised the show's choreography, stage designs, and powerful messaging. G7's Wooten Joyce said, "Kendrick Lamar's halftime show was nothing short of groundbreaking, earning an A- for its cultural impact and political resonance. Those who found it boring or controversial likely expected a more traditional, high-energy spectacle filled with flashy visuals and catchy tunes. However, Kendrick’s performance was rich with deep meaning and storytelling, featuring hidden, impactful Easter eggs that may not have been immediately apparent to all viewers."

San Francisco agency Argonaut is now OfferUp's agency of record. OfferUp calls itself the largest mobile marketplace for local buyers and sellers in the U.S. Founded in 2011 and based in Bellevue, Washington, the company serves local markets nationwide and was used by more than one in six adults in the U.S. last year.

Praytell and YouGov asked U.S. audiences where they get their news and who they actually trust. Spoiler: It’s not who you think. The findings could and should rewrite your marketing playbook — now.

After Nearly 50 years of Distinguished Leadership, Robert G Vallee Jr. Announces Retirement with George P. Johnson CEO Chris Meyer to Become Project CEO, Guiding Award-Winning Alliance into its Next Century of Growth

John Higgins is the CEO of OS Studios, a global creative marketing agency specializing in video gaming and esports. Under his leadership, OS Studios has won numerous awards, including Webby, Clio, and the EventEx Awards. OS Studios earned an Emmy nomination, and John Higgins won the Digiday Leader of the Year Award while producing two of London’s top 10 hottest tickets, according to TimeOut. Higgins chatted with The Good Men Project to discuss the rapid growth of video games and esports, emphasizing the scale of gaming culture, which is expected to reach $260 billion by 2025.

Congratulations to OS Studios and Riot Games for winning the bronze for best "Use of Livestreaming" and to GPJ and Starbucks for winning the bronze for best "Experiential Activation to Launch a Brand/Product."