WASHINGTON — Vox Global has launched a behavioral insights practice designed to help organizations identify and understand their audiences and positively influence how those audiences think and act. The practice, led by partner James Baril (pictured), leverages Omnicom Public Relations Group’s advanced analytics platform to identify the audiences most relevant to the client’s campaign and build personas about who they are, where they get their information and what motivates them. The insights enable Vox to design communications campaigns based on a clear understanding of the target audiences.

WASHINGTON — Public Policy Holding Company has acquired KP Public Affairs in a $35 million deal. Founded in 1996, the firm represents some of the world's best-known organizations on issues of local, state, and national importance. California-based KP is PPHC’s first acquisition since its IPO, as well as its first outside Washington. Once formally merged, KP will continue operating under its existing brand, management team and staff. Other PPHC holdings include Forbes Tate, Seven Letter and Alpine Partners.

NEW YORK — Red Havas has launched a new ESG practice to serve the growing demand for purpose-driven communications. Red Impact will be driven by a team of specialists across the agency’s network including executive VPs Linda Descano and Melanie Klausner and associate VP Audrey Arbogast in the US; executive director Richard Clarke in the UK; and executive director Matthew Thomas and senior consultant Jacqui Munro in Australia.

AUSTIN, TX — Amazon and Obama alumna Teal Pennebaker, who most recently served as chief communications officer at the series D startup Capsule, is launching a boutique communications firm with Boeing and Biden alum Tim Granholm. Based in Chicago and Austin, Shallot Communications will work with executives to better connect with their employees — building the internal communications foundation to motivate high-performing teams.