LONDON—WPP has launched a global government and public sector practice that will offer support in areas such as communications for development; communications for public policy and services; public sector recruitment; country branding and tourism, trade and investment marketing; and digital government. The practice will give public sector organisations a single point of access to WPP’s combined resources, bringing together multidisciplinary teams of agencies to meet clients’ needs.  It will be led by Dr Michelle Harrison, who is also CEO of TNS BMRB, the UK-based social research agency.

BOSTON—Racepoint Global has launched a life sciences practice, led by industry veteran Marla Kertzman, senior vice president and focused on bioinformatics, next-generation sequencing, molecular diagnostics and data analytic software for developing pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. The firm currently works with a number of clients in life sciences, including Accelrys, ACD/Labs, Appistry, Nabsys, Oraya Therapeutics and Thermo Fisher Scientific.

MIAMI—Florida International University has introduced a new online degree program in global strategic communications offered through the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. The program’s focus on communication management and digital communication will prepare graduates for careers in corporate, government and non-profit organizations, according to Kathy Fitzpatrick, professor and associate dean for graduate programs in the SJMC.

NEW YORK—Child’s Play Communications has launched CPC Tech, a new division devoted exclusively to creating awareness of and demand for family-friendly technology products. CPC Tech will be responsible for promoting products ranging from apps to tablets to technology-driven toys. Recent clients have included the Time for Kids app from Time, multiple Peppa Pig apps, littleBits, a system of electronic modules that snap together with magnets to create circuits, and the smartphone-driven personal robot, ROMO, from Romotive.