SAN FRANCISCO and BOSTON—The Castle Group of Boston and Landis Communications of San Francisco—both members of the Public Relations Global Network—have launched Giant Step Digital, a national digital and social media initiative.

GSD will provide dedicated professionals with comprehensive and focused online marketing and communications experience. Both have implemented social, blogger and content campaigns for clients, but the new venture will add new capabilities and specialized talent.

Services include brand, positioning, messaging and content development; social engagement; competitive and digital analysis; content creation and marketing; e-messaging, email, e-newsletter programs; video; social monitoring and management; website design; mobile applications; infographics; and online crisis management.

“As the communications landscape has changed, so has the scope of services we’ve been providing to our clients,” says Castle’s Sandy Lish. ”Clients need help with all aspects of communications strategy and especially with how the pieces of that puzzle fit together and influence one another.” Adds David Landis, “Social and digital media, paid and earned media, content—we see time and again that communications tools work best when a strategic, experienced team aligns business goals, messages and audiences.”

Heading the East Coast team is Hilary Allard, an eight-year Castle veteran. On the West Coast, Sean Dowdall, a 30-year veteran of digital, marketing and content services, heads up a team that also includes video/digital strategists Jessica Teas, Eric Steckel and Nancy Saslow.