CHICAGO — Veggie Grill has tapped Zapwater Communications to build buzz for the fast casual brand in advance of its expansion into Chicago. Zapwater’s work with include media relations, influencer relations, events and partnerships. The West Coast, veggie-based eatery plans to open two Chicago locations in early 2018.

LOS ANGELES — The Pollack PR Marketing Group has been tapped by tech company Mitchell International to be its PR agency of record.  Pollack was selected in a competitive process. Mitchell’s products serve the insurance industry by accelerating claims, repairs and pharmaceutical transactions.

SAN FRANCISCO — The podcast platform CastBox has tapped Liberty Communications to lead its North American public relations and communications initiatives. Liberty is charged with growing use of the CastBox, which launched in 2016 as a podcast search, creation and listening platform, and is backed with $16m in funding.  CastBox offers podcasts in more than 70 languages from 135 countries.

NEW YORK — The Mayshad Foundation, a California nonprofit aimed at empowering African women, has tapped Rubenstein Public Relations to be its PR agency of record. Rubenstein is charged with raising awareness of Mayshad activities through a targeted media relations campaign in the US. The foundation’s programs across Africa are focused on social empowerment, education, climate change and advocacy for women and millennials.

NEW YORK — Heavensake has hired Magrino Digital to create a comprehensive social media strategy for the premium sake company.  Magrino will be responsible for a multi-faceted social plan that includes content curation and development, growing the platform and brand messaging. Heavensake is a French-Japanese venture, billed as “the world’s purest alcohol” that’s low in acidity and free of sulfites.