LOS ANGELES—Fifteen Minutes Public Relations managing partner Ryan Croy has launched PublicHaus, a PR and digital marketing agency designed to connect both consumer and B2B clients with customized services through a nationwide network of top independent practitioners. In partnership with veteran digital strategist Natacha Gaymer-Jones, formerly vice president and Los Angeles director for San Diego-based BrightHaus digital, PublicHaus tap into a talent network of close to 75 marketers to offer services from media relations, influencer marketing and video content production to social media marketing, website design, app development, and search engine optimization.

CHICAGO—Oak Brook Terrace, Ill.-based David James Group has acquired Bradenton, Fla.-based Blue Water Communications, a boutique communications agency serving museum, architecture, performing arts and destination clients. The David James Group is an integrated marketing communications agency that specializes in associations and non-profit organizations. Blue Water, led by president Lynnette Werning, will continue to operate under the Blue Water brand.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ—10 to 1 Public Relations has joined IPREX, a network of independent communication agencies with 1,600 staff and 110 offices worldwide. 10 to 1 was founded by president Josh Weiss following a career in politics and senior in-house communication and crisis management positions. The firm clients in multiple industries including healthcare, technology, and transportation.

MINNEAPOLIS—PR Talent, a leading communications specialist search firm, has hired Kathleen DesRosiers, to build its presence in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region and the Upper Midwest and build its APAC capability. DesRosiers brings 27 years of PR agency and PR recruiting experience, having run her own recruiting firm in Beijing and served as GM of China for The Hoffman Agency. Her experience includes stints with FleishmanHillard, Burson-Marsteller, The Repovich Reynolds Group, and Text 100.

NEW YORK—David Weiss has been named vice president, client services, at video influencer marketing firm D S Simon Media. He previously has held senior management roles with Vidicom, Medialink and with the global WTN News Agency that was affiliated with ABC News.

NEW YORK—The Public Relations Society of America has named its 2018 board of directors during its Leadership Assembly in Boston, including Debra Peterson, vice president of external communications and community relations at CenturyLink as vice chair; T Garland Stansell, chief communications officer, Children’s of Alabama as treasurer; and Ronele Dotson, president of RAD Strategies as secretary. 2017 chair-elect Anthony D’Angelo will become chair on January 1, 2018.

GAINESVILLE, FL—The Agency at UF, a communications firm led by professionals and staffed by students at the University of Florida, has named Michael Leslie, a University of Florida College of Journalism & Communications telecommunication associate professor and leadership trainer, as a faculty adviser.