CHICAGO—MSLGroup’s Chicago office and the Leo Burnett's reputation and communications practice are joining forces to create a single integrated PR offering under the MSLGroup brand. Amy Cheronis, formerly executive VP of Leo Burnett Worldwide reputation and communications, has been named managing director of MSLGroup in Chicago.

NEW YORK— Weber Shandwick has joined the affiliates program at Columbia University's Data Science Institute, which trains data scientists to develop innovative technologies and brings together faculty, students and companies from various industries to use data to solve important societal challenges. Weber Shandwick is the first public relations firm to become a member of the affiliate program, through which the firm will co-create research projects across the Institute's focus areas, including health and patient care.

SALT LAKE CITY—Intrepid, a Utah public relations firm with a staff of 17, has been elected as a member of Worldcom, the global partnership of public relations firms. The addition of Intrepid increases Worldcom's reach to 143 offices in 115 cities around the world. Intrepid provides public relations, content, branding, crisis communication, public involvement and marketing services to clients in the technology, transportation, healthcare, education, construction and sports and entertainment sectors.