Agency Updates: Ruder Finn, Merrick Creative and LUNA+EISENLA
Ruder Finn expands its energy, utility and infrastructure practice following the hire of Patrick Hefflinger, a former U.S. Department of Energy official who served in the Office of Environmental Management. The move, states a release, strengthens Ruder Finn’s ability to support companies advancing next-generation energy technologies, including nuclear, geothermal, fusion, and other emerging solutions critical to meeting rising energy demand. “Energy, utility and infrastructure companies are navigating a defining moment, as rising demand, new technologies and complex public expectations are shaping how major projects move forward,” said Monica Marshall, head of Ruder Finn’s D.C. office. “Communications that explain the value and benefits, address concerns and engage stakeholders are critical to building the support needed for adoption.”
Stephanie Orton Lynch joins Merrick Creative as Chief Growth Officer, where, states a release, she will lead revenue growth, drive new business, expand client partnerships, identify market opportunities, and serve as a strategic advisor, aligning creative and marketing solutions with client business goals. Lynch, in photo, brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience with creative and marketing agencies, real estate, hospitality, and retail sectors. She has held senior leadership roles for Nordstrom, Hines, The Greenbrier Resort, and, most recently, Tri Pointe Homes. According to the release, her blend of brand-side and agency experience “makes her uniquely positioned to drive strategic growth while serving as a trusted advisor to clients navigating complex business challenges.”
LUNA+EISENLA is featured in a USA Today Small Business Month supplement for adopting AI in its work. The piece – Four Principles for Your Small Business to Thrive in the AI Era – includes a spotlight on the firm which, states the agency’s website, is expanding its digital, AI-driven, and targeting capabilities “to meet the demands of a faster, more complex communications environment.”
