Court Declares Google's Ad Sales Unit an Illegal Monopoly – In a landmark ruling, a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, has declared Google's advertising technology unit an illegal monopoly, marking the second major antitrust case brought by the Justice Department against the tech giant. The decision adds to Google’s legal challenges following a previous monopoly case concerning its search engine and ongoing scrutiny in the EU. And the lawsuit highlights Google’s dominance in brokering online ad sales, with allegations of unfairly manipulating auction rules that harm publishers, advertisers, and consumers. Read more here.

The Marketing Campaigns That Shaped America’s Drinking Culture – In an article for The Current at UC Santa Barbara, Tom Jacobs explores how alcohol evolved from a immoral habit to a celebrated part of American culture, largely due to strategic marketing practices. Historian Lisa Jacobson reveals how campaigns rebranded drinking as a symbol of middle-class respectability, targeting domestic and social settings, especially for women. From celebrity endorsements to redefining beer as a family-friendly staple, these efforts transformed public perception. Read the story here.

Ruder Finn to Elevate Zebra Technologies' Communications – Zebra Technologies has appointed Ruder Finn as its PR agency of record for North America and Latin America. The firm will spearhead corporate communications and media strategies to highlight Zebra’s leadership in AI-powered solutions for inventory management, supply chain efficiency, and enhanced customer satisfaction. O’Dwyer’s has more agency news here.

Elm Showcases Innovation and Partnerships at GITEX Africa 2025 – At GITEX Africa 2025, Elm highlighted its global growth ambitions through strategic collaborations and cutting-edge solutions in AI, smart mobility, and digital archiving. Signing pivotal MoUs with Moroccan firms and international organizations, Elm reinforced its role in advancing emerging digital economies. The press release was published in Africa Marketing Industry News, part of Affinity Group Publishing. Discover their initiatives here.

Paris Vinnett Joins Hamilton County Mayor’s Team as Communications Director – Paris Vinnett, previously press secretary for Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly, has been appointed director of communications for Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp. With nearly a decade of local government experience and advanced academic credentials, Vinnett is set to lead communications during a pivotal year for the county’s initiatives. Learn more about her role here.

National Public Relations Day Spotlights Ethical AI Use – On April 21, the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI), Shimla Chapter, teamed up with the University Institute of Technology (UIT) to explore the theme “Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence: Role of Public Relations.” Experts, including Dr. BS Panwar, Dr. Akshya Bhardwaj, and Dr. Akhilesh Pathak, shared their insights on AI’s role in communication and engagement, emphasizing ethical practices. Professor AJ Singh highlighted AI’s potential in streamlining complex challenges in technical fields. Dive into the discussions here.

Delfi Labs Taps William Mills Agency for PR Expertise – Delfi Labs, a game-changer in AI-powered financial strategies, has chosen William Mills Agency to boost its public relations and expand its reach. With cutting-edge tools like AI CO-PILOT and WHAT-IF, Delfi is transforming how banks manage risk and make smarter decisions. Dive into their story here.

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IPR Bridge 2025, taking place April 9-10 in Washington, DC, will bring together communication leaders and leading scholars to discuss cutting-edge research and insights. This year's event features interactive elements like Action, Research, Conversation talks, brain breaks, and research sprints to foster greater connections and provide actionable takeaways. Diana Littman, CEO of MSL U.S., will deliver the keynote speech at Georgetown University. More information here.

PR360, taking place May 20-21 in London, UK, is more than just an event—it’s a critical platform for senior professionals to dive into transformative discussions, uncover breakthrough strategies, and build key connections. Get a glimpse of what PR360 entails by watching this video about the 2024 event. A host of major brands have attended as delegates, including Edelman, British Airways, KPMG, Shopify, and more. Find out more here.

PR Daily Conference, happening May 21-23 in Washington, DC, will hit on every PR topic that matters from media relations to Substack to storytelling and more. Pre-conference workshops on measurement and data, crisis communications, and media pitching best practices will be offered on May 21. This year’s keynote is about a mysterious and hot topic in the communications industry—“Why Things Catch On – and How to Unlock Virality.” More information here.

IABC World Conference 2025, taking place June 8-12 in Vancouver, Canada, will showcase strategies, tools, and best practices that illustrate the true power of communication in driving change. Fun fact: The theme of IABC World Conference 2025 is Connect! You can add a “Master Class” to your event registration—a session with Shane Michael Hatton is available, and more Master Classes will be announced as the conference approaches. Register for the conference here.

2025 AMEC Global Summit on Measurement, happening June 10-12 in Vienna, Austria, will focus on the latest trends and challenges in measurement and evaluation. Stay tuned! The event website for the AMEC Global Summit will be available soon. In the meantime, the event organizers are seeking world-class communicators, innovators, thinkers, and presenters to speak. Nominate yourself or someone from your team here.

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A variety of exciting and informative PR and marketing events are just around the corner, offering ample opportunities to learn, network, and grow within the industry. Don't miss the chance to connect with industry leaders and peers. Check out some upcoming events below:

Industry Events

The 2025 Ragan Social Media Conference, taking place March 19-21 at the Walt Disney World Swan Resort in Orlando, FL, will focus on enhancing social media strategies through expert-led sessions, networking opportunities, and hands-on workshops. Attendees will learn from industry leaders about the latest trends, tools, and creative approaches to captivate audiences and drive engagement. More information here.

The 2025 PRSA Counselors to Higher Education Summit, happening March 24-26 in Washington, DC, will gather communications and PR leaders from U.S. college campuses to share insights, research, and best practices. Attendees will have opportunities for networking, mentoring, and learning about the latest trends in higher education communications. Find out more here.

PRNEWS Top Women Awards 2025 Nominations Closing Soon! Don't miss your chance to recognize outstanding women in the communications industry. Nominate your influential colleagues by this Friday, February 21 for the PRNEWS Top Women Awards 2025. From rising stars to pioneering entrepreneurs, celebrate their achievements and support.

Help honor women who inspire, lead, and innovate. The winners will be celebrated on June 5 in NYC. Get those nominations in! 💪For more details, visit PRNEWS.

PRNEWS' Artificial Intelligence for PR Online Training Workshop on March 25 will teach PR professionals how AI is transforming PR, from media pitching to content optimization and brand protection.

Whether you're using AI for media outreach, navigating AI-driven SEO, or tackling deep fakes, this event will help you seamlessly integrate AI into your PR workflow. Click here to register now.

Want to share your event with us to feature in our newsletter? Send us a message or email issac.morgan@newsmatics.com.