CHICAGO — Cision has finalized its acquisition of Prime Research, a global provider of media measurement and analysis services. Prime founder and president Rainer Mathes will lead the division Cision Insights. In his new role, Mathes will head a team dedicated to evaluating campaign effectiveness through customized intelligence, reporting and industry expertise and providing in-depth analysis to assist clients in formulating communications strategies.

LOS ANGELES — Luxury travel agency Hawkins International Public Relations has opened a West Coast-focused office in Los Angeles, giving the firm for the first time a bicoastal presence. The office will be led by managing director Lucy Zepp, who will work with the firm’s New York office to establish and grow the operation. Zepp has spent much of her career working in travel PR, most recently for the HL Group where, as a senior VP, she led the agency’s lifestyle team that included serving the Four Seasons brand.

SEATTLE — Expanding its West Coast presence, Chicago-based Walker Sands has opened an office in Seattle.  Along with the agency’s existing San Francisco office, the Seattle operation will serve the region’s B2B tech companies, the agency’s specialty.  Walker Sands expects to grow the office with the addition of five to 10 new staffers.

SAN FRANCISCO — Yellow Jersey has become a partner in IPREX, a network of communications agencies with 110 offices worldwide.  Yellow Jersey, which has offices in London, Leeds and Zurich, is a financial and corporate communications agency, supporting IPO, M&A and other financial-related events. It also works across the retail, minding, energy and healthcare industries.

RESTON, VIRGINIA — Buffalo.Agency has launched a new operation, called Buffalo.Bureau, a newsroom-style hub that houses an editorial team focused on developing and delivering editorial content.  Buffalo founder and managing director Rich Katz will serve as editor-in-chief. The bureau leverages Buffalo’s range of experts, creates efficiencies and consolidates media outreach to generate high-value publicity about clients’ brands, the agency said.

WASHINGTON, DC — PR industry employment was up for the fourth consecutive year in 2016, but there were roughly 5,000 fewer jobs overall than there were in 2009, according to the most recent data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Figures show real wage growth in the industry over the last nine years was negligible at just .09%. Yet the pay gap between managers and specialists widened, with managers making on average $123,360 a year and specialists $66,540.