📰 This week in industry news, today’s the last chance to enter the 2026 Digital PR & Innovation Awards, Oglethorpe students dive into real-world PR, Crain Communications cuts staff amid industry pressures, and Kinetic Marketing unveils a new AI framework for marketers. Plus, Prince Harry and Meghan’s former comms director takes a strategic role at Forward Global. Get the full scoop and more stories!
2026 Digital PR & Innovation Awards Deadline Is Here – Today is the last chance to enter the 2026 Digital PR & Innovation Awards, which spotlight standout work across social, AI-driven campaigns, video storytelling, and multichannel programs. The awards recognize the bold ideas shaping the next era of digital communications, offering agencies and brands a shot at national visibility and industry credibility. Details can be found here.
Oglethorpe Students Step Into Real-World PR Roles – At Oglethorpe University, students in the Weltner Consulting Agency (WCA) are experiencing public relations firsthand by working with real clients like Mirko Pasta & Pizza. This semester, they’ve been planning events, building partnerships, and analyzing social media to help grow foot traffic, while learning how campaigns play out beyond the classroom. Through hands-on work, students are discovering the challenges and rewards of communications, gaining skills that will carry into their future careers. Find out more.
Influential Women Spotlights Sharon Pope: Marketing Leader and Entrepreneur – Sharon Pope, founder and CEO of Sharon Pope LLC, is being recognized for building a seven-figure coaching business—an achievement reached by only 1.2% of women entrepreneurs, according to a press release. As a fractional CMO and bestselling author, she combines corporate strategy with entrepreneurial grit to help brands grow with clarity and impact. This press releasewas featured in Florida Marketing News, part of Affinity Group Publishing.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Former Comms Director Kyle Boulia Joins Forward Global – Kyle Boulia, who served as communications lead for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, is reuniting with ex-Archewell colleague Ashley Hansen at reputation management firm Forward Global. In his new role as principal, Boulia will help expand the company’s Los Angeles office while providing strategic communications and risk management services to high-profile clients in entertainment, media, and technology. Learn more about the move.
Crain Communications Cuts Staff Amid Industry Pressures – Detroit-based Crain Communications laid off at least 20 employees last week across city and industry-focused publications, including Automotive News, Crain’s Detroit Business, and Crain’s New York Business. Leadership cited declining ad revenue, a push for AI integration, and a need to “become nimbler and more efficient.” Reportedly, the media industry at large faces similar pressures. Read more here.
Kinetic Marketing Launches AI Integration Framework for Marketers – Women-owned Kinetic Marketing Communications has unveiled its Strategic Marketing AI Framework, designed to help marketing and sales teams move beyond experimentation to practical, results-driven AI adoption. The program aligns marketing activity with revenue goals, unifies data and reporting, automates workflows, and empowers teams to use AI responsibly. It also provides customized guidance to ensure AI adoption fits each organization’s culture, business goals and operational challenges. This newswas published in MarCom World, part of Affinity Group Publishing.
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