MILWAUKEE—Chicago-based Reputation Partners—founded in 2002 by Nick Kalm, Jane Devron and Megan Hakes—has acquired Vollrath Associates, a public relations and investor relations firm based in Milwaukee. Reputation Partners has had a dedicated presence in the Milwaukee market since 2004, while Vollrath was founded by Phil and Marilyn Vollrath in 1979 and works with public companies to tell their stories to shareholders and the investment community. Other services include corporate public relations, marketing communications, media relations and major events. Marilyn Vollrath, president and CEO of Vollrath Associates, joins Reputation Partners as an executive vice president, Jessica Vollrath Huebner as vice president and Samantha Orne as associate.

WASHINGTON, DC—SKDKnickerbocker has become the latest firm to launch a women's leadership and advocacy practice, which will offer clients strategic communications, research insights, partnerships, and other community-building support. The practice, led by Nell Callahan, is fully integrated into the firm's public affairs, digital, executive communications and political practice areas. The launch follows similar initiatives by Burson-Marsteller and MWW.

HIGH POINT, NC—New Jersey-based Steinreich Communications Group has acquired McNeill Communications of North Carolina, best known for its work in the home furnishings space. Karen McNeill, founder and chief executive officer of McNeill, will join Steinreich as a senior vice president and general manager of its High Point, NC, office along with all the current members of her staff. Ellyn Small, senior vice president and general manager of Steinreich's New Jersey office, continues to oversee the home furnishings practice.

NEW YORK—CrisisResponsePro, cloud-based collaborative software for crisis management, has added multi-brand functionality that brings a new level of personalization to the web and mobile platform. The new feature is designed to allow public relations firms, public affairs firms, law firms and other outside consultants to brand their secure crisis portal with their own identity, their client’s identity, or any other combination desired.