Greg Abel

By Jeffrey Davis, Baltimore Regional Editor

PR pro and master story-teller Greg Abel is coming out with “What’s the Big Idea? with Greg Abel,” a new podcast centered around big ideas – where they come from, what they have the power to achieve and why some ideas catch on while others falter. The lineup so far includes Kait LeDonne, Founder and CEO, Brandwise Media on the power and potential of personal branding; Roz Cauthen, Executive Director, Baltimore School for the Arts on leading with empathy; and Paul Roetzer, Founder and CEO, Marketing AI Institute and PR 20/20; on how marketers can become massively more effective by leveraging artificial intelligence.

Future guests will include Chris Heck, President of the Philadelphia 76ers; Duncan Wardle, former Chief Innovation Officer at Disney; and MaryBeth Hyland, keynote speaker and author of Permission to Be Human.

Unlimited PTO at TBC! A post from the Baltimore agency offers a glimpse into its culture: “At TBC, we recognize that our employees want to feel fulfilled at work, but also have the time to rest, rejuvenate and reset from whatever life throws at us. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce our new unlimited PTO policy. This is just another example of TBC’s culture of excellence and trust that we’ve built TOGETHER. For our current and future team members, here’s to taking time for vacations, staycations, mental health days, sick days, or any time you need to focus on what matters to YOU.”

Melissa DiMercurio

Talented and sought-after PR pro Melissa DiMercurio has landed at the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis as media relations manager. DiMercurio brings over a decade of experience working at award-winning agencies in New York City and Washington, D.C., leading a multitude of global awareness programs. Prior to joining the ISTH, DiMercurio led the team at Stanton Communications during the successful 2020 and 2021 World Thrombosis Day campaigns.

“On behalf of the entire team at the ISTH, we are excited to welcome Melissa DiMercurio to the Society,” said Thomas Reiser, executive director. “With her impressive background and experience, she will undoubtedly significantly contribute to the success and impact of our Society and our programs across the globe.”

A New Inner Harbor Newsroom: The Baltimore Banner, the Baltimore news website that will launch later this year, has signed a lease for a newsroom at the Pier IV office building at 621 E. Pratt St. at the Inner Harbor. The Venetoulis Institute signed a 15,000 sq. ft. lease in the Spark Flex space at Pier IV. The company says it can accommodate up to 100 employees at its new office and plans to launch with “more than 50” employees. On Feb. 27, 60 Minutes told the story of the evolving local news landscape, including the work The Baltimore Banner is doing to create a sustainable business model for local news.

NoHa Sign Plan: Also downtown, watch for new promotional signage after the Baltiplanning commission approved the majority of proposed signs in a new North Harbor sign plan. The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore said it proposed the North Harbor Area (NoHa) of Special Signage Control (ASSC) “because it is consistent with our long-standing commitment to the vibrancy and appeal of Baltimore’s Downtown. We strongly believe the ASSC is a powerful opportunity to energize and enliven Downtown, and extensive public testimony in support of the Signage Plan shows that many stakeholders agree.”

Next up is a permitting process for each sign, followed by landlords and media companies will work through working through the logistics of sign installs, which could take up to a year.

Photo: Downtown Partnership