Connect with us

Technology

5W Expands Tampa Headquarters as Firm Accelerates Growth Strategy in Florida

Published

on

Independent PR firm doubles down on Tampa with expanded headquarters, growing local team, and plans to pursue strategic acquisitions.

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 5W, one of the largest independently owned PR and communications agencies in the U.S., is doubling down on Tampa and the Florida market.

Following the launch of its Miami and Tampa presence, 5W has expanded its Tampa footprint and secured additional space, creating a two-floor headquarters designed to support continued growth across clients, talent, and capabilities. The Tampa team has grown to more than 20 employees, with additional hiring underway as the office continues to expand.

The physical expansion is part of a broader strategy for 5W to build a significant presence in one of the country’s fastest-growing business markets to better serve clients across the nation and attract top talent, while also pursuing strategic acquisitions of independent communications and marketing firms.

“We didn’t come to Tampa to simply have an office here,” said Matthew Caiola, Chief Executive Officer of 5W. “We came here to build something that is representative of where 5W is going. The response from our team, clients, and the community has been tremendous, and taking additional space this quickly tells us we’re on the right track.”

That growth is happening alongside a broader evolution of the firm itself. As consumers increasingly discover brands and companies through AI search, 5W has been expanding its work in AI visibility and communications, helping brands understand how they appear across AI platforms and how earned media, content, and social media can influence visibility in an increasingly AI-driven information environment.

“We have always believed there is an opportunity to build a different kind of communications firm, one that is entrepreneurial, ambitious, and built for where communications is going,” said Leigh Ann Ambrosi, Managing Partner, EVP of Consumer Lifestyle. “The way people discover and evaluate brands is changing dramatically. We want to be ahead of that change and help our clients navigate it.”

The expanded Tampa headquarters will serve as a hub for 5W’s growing team and client work across consumer, corporate, technology, health and wellness, and beauty, while supporting the firms continued investment in integrated communications capabilities spanning AI visibility, media relations, digital marketing, and more.

“Tampa gives us an important foundation for this next phase of growth,” Caiola added. “We’re investing in people, infrastructure, and capabilities, and we’re open to bringing the right companies into the 5W family.”

The expansion follows a year of continued momentum for 5W, including the agency’s recent recognition among The PR Net Top 100 agencies, further reinforcing its position as one of the leading communications firms in the country.

With the growing Tampa team, expanded headquarters, evolving capabilities, and an active interest in strategic acquisitions, 5W is positioning its Florida presence as an important part of the firms next chapter and broader vision for the future of communications.

About 5W

5W is The Communications Firm Built for the AI Era, building brand authority across the platforms where decisions now happen – ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, and Google AI Overviews, alongside earned media, digital, and influencer channels. 5W combines public relations, digital marketing, and proprietary AI visibility research to help clients measure and grow their presence in AI-driven discovery. Founded in 2003, 5W is recognized as a Top U.S. PR Agency by O’Dwyer’s, named Agency of the Year in the American Business Awards, honored as a 2026 Top Place to Work in Communications by Ragan, and named to Digiday’s WorkLife Employer of the Year list. 5W serves clients across B2C sectors — Beauty & Fashion, Consumer Brands, Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Health & Wellness, Travel & Hospitality, Technology, and Nonprofit — and B2B specialties including Corporate Communications, Reputation Management, Public Affairs, Crisis Communications, and Digital Marketing across Social, Influencer, Paid Media, GEO, and SEO. Learn more at 5wpr.com.

Danielle Patterson
Senior Vice President, Marketing
DPatterson@5wpr.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/5w-expands-tampa-headquarters-as-firm-accelerates-growth-strategy-in-florida-302896181.html

SOURCE 5W Public Relations

Continue Reading

Technology

LoanBud Launches LoanBud Acquire™ to Expand Financing for Main Street Business Acquisitions

Published

on

By

New non-SBA program offers $100,000 to $350,000 in financing for qualified buyers acquiring established small businesses.

NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LoanBud today announced the launch of LoanBud Acquire™, a new non-SBA business acquisition financing program offering $100,000 to $350,000 in financing for qualified buyers acquiring established, cash-flowing small businesses.

LoanBud created the program around a problem it sees in the market every day: smaller business acquisitions can be disproportionately difficult to finance. Many lenders prioritize larger credits, while smaller transactions may not fit every SBA or conventional lending program. That can leave qualified buyers and viable businesses with fewer financing paths, even when the underlying transaction makes sense.

“A $250,000 acquisition matters just as much to the buyer, the seller and the employees as a multimillion-dollar transaction,” said Burke Purcell, Founder and CEO of LoanBud. “But smaller acquisitions can be harder to finance because many lenders tend to prioritize larger transactions. LoanBud Acquire™ gives qualified buyers another path to ownership and helps more good Main Street businesses continue under a new owner.”

LoanBud Acquire™ complements LoanBud’s existing SBA business acquisition financing capabilities. By adding a non-SBA option, LoanBud can evaluate an acquisition across multiple potential financing paths rather than trying to fit every transaction into a single program.

That flexibility can be especially important in a business sale, where financing uncertainty creates friction for the buyer, seller and broker. Earlier clarity on whether a transaction has a viable financing path can help all parties move forward with greater confidence.

LoanBud Acquire™ program highlights include:

$100,000 to $350,000 in financingMinimum 15% buyer equity contributionDesigned for acquisitions of established, cash-flowing businessesNo real estate collateral requirementFinancing available for eligible business purchase costs and approved transaction expensesTargeted closing timeline of less than 30 days for qualified transactions

“We do not believe every acquisition should be forced into one financing box,” Purcell said. “Our job is to look at the transaction, identify the most realistic financing path and help the buyer, seller and broker get to a clear answer faster. LoanBud Acquire™ gives us another way to do that for smaller Main Street transactions.”

LoanBud Acquire™ is available now. Qualified buyers and business brokers can learn more at LoanBud.com or apply at apply.loanbud.com.

About LoanBud

LoanBud helps existing business owners access growth capital and helps entrepreneurs finance business acquisitions. By combining technology, experienced lending professionals and a nationwide network of lending partners, LoanBud provides access to SBA and conventional financing for acquisitions, growth, real estate, debt refinancing and working capital. LoanBud is focused on making small business financing faster, clearer and easier to navigate.

For more information, visit LoanBud.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/loanbud-launches-loanbud-acquire-to-expand-financing-for-main-street-business-acquisitions-302896385.html

SOURCE LoanBud

Continue Reading

Technology

McKool Smith Named 2026 IP “Litigation Department of the Year” by Texas Lawyer

Published

on

By

DALLAS, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — McKool Smith has been named Intellectual Property “Litigation Department of the Year” at the 2026 Texas Legal Awards, presented by Texas Lawyer. The Texas Legal Awards honor the attorneys and law firms making a lasting impact on the Texas legal landscape, from groundbreaking case wins to innovative legal strategies. Winners were celebrated at the awards ceremony on September 30 in Dallas.

The firm recognition reflects a track record of success in high-stakes IP disputes. In the Eastern District of Texas, Austin Principal Steve Pollinger, as lead counsel, along with Marshall Principal Jennifer Truelove, won a $192 million verdict for Mojo Mobility against Samsung on wireless charging patents that was held in full at final judgment. Jennifer also served as co-lead trial counsel on a willful infringement verdict for Pictiva Displays against Samsung on OLED display patents. At the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), the firm’s campaign for Nokia against Hisense ended in a global license resolving the dispute in every jurisdiction.

The department’s recent results also include a stretch of significant trial wins for Dallas Principal Warren Lipschitz, a finalist for Intellectual Property Attorney of the Year. In August 2026, he co-led a team in securing a complete defense verdict for AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Ericsson and Nokia in a consolidated 5G patent trial in the Eastern District of Texas, defeating $436 million in claimed damages. The jury found no infringement, invalidated all nine asserted claims, and held that the plaintiffs had breached their own FRAND obligations. That verdict followed back-to-back 2025 defense wins Warren co-led against Daingean Technologies, also in the Eastern District, cutting a $245 million demand against T-Mobile to $2 million and then winning a verdict of no infringement for AT&T. On the plaintiff side, Warren secured an ITC Initial Determination for Nokia that Amazon infringed five of seven asserted patents, and Nokia reached a settlement with Amazon shortly thereafter.

With more than 130 trial lawyers across offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Marshall, New York, and Washington, D.C., McKool Smith has established a reputation as one of America’s leading trial firms. The firm has secured 18 nine-figure jury verdicts and 16 eight-figure jury verdicts, obtaining more VerdictSearch and The National Law Journal “Top 100 Verdicts” than any other law firm. McKool Smith represents clients in complex commercial litigation, intellectual property, bankruptcy, and white-collar defense matters.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mckool-smith-named-2026-ip-litigation-department-of-the-year-by-texas-lawyer-302896389.html

SOURCE McKool Smith

Continue Reading

Technology

Custom Home Builder Selection in Lexington SC Guidance Outlined in HelloNation Featuring Home Building Expert Jennifer L. Gerben Nettles

Published

on

By

The article explains how early consultation with a builder can help evaluate land suitability, site conditions, and construction costs before purchasing property.

LEXINGTON, S.C., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Do prospective homeowners need to own land before hiring a custom home builder in Lexington, South Carolina? HelloNation addresses that question in a HelloNation article that explores how early collaboration with a builder can help guide land selection and project planning.

The HelloNation article explains that many buyers assume they must purchase land before contacting a custom home builder Lexington SC professional. In practice, involving a builder earlier in the process can offer important advantages. Builders can help assess potential properties and identify factors that may influence construction feasibility, costs, and design options before a purchase is finalized.

One of the first considerations discussed in the article is the building potential of the land itself. Not all lots offer the same conditions for residential construction. Soil composition, grading, and topography can significantly affect how easily a home can be built. The article notes that a lot that appears ideal at first glance may require extensive excavation, retaining walls, or drainage work, all of which can increase project costs.

Evaluating site conditions before purchasing land can help homeowners avoid unexpected challenges later in the building process. According to the article, builders can conduct early assessments to determine whether the lot can accommodate the desired home design. Home Building Experts explain that this evaluation helps identify potential construction limitations and provides a clearer picture of the work required to prepare the site.

Utility access is another major factor that may influence whether a lot is suitable for a custom home Lexington SC project. The article describes how water, sewer, electricity, and internet service are not always readily available on undeveloped parcels of land. Connecting a property to these utilities may involve additional infrastructure work, which can increase both cost and project timelines. Builders who understand local infrastructure can help estimate the feasibility and expense of utility installation before a buyer commits to purchasing a property.

Lot shape and size can also affect design possibilities and construction costs. The HelloNation article explains that narrow or irregularly shaped parcels may limit the placement and layout of a home. Builders can provide guidance on how to adapt architectural plans to fit the property while still meeting the homeowner’s functional and aesthetic goals. This type of planning ensures that the home design works within the constraints of the lot.

Budget planning is another reason the article recommends early consultation with a custom home builder Lexington SC professional. Builders can provide preliminary construction estimates that account for site preparation, grading, permits, and other development requirements tied to a specific lot. This information helps prospective homeowners determine whether a property aligns with their financial plans before making a purchase.

The article also discusses how early collaboration can streamline the permitting and planning process. Builders with experience in Lexington understand local zoning regulations, setback requirements, and building codes that influence how a home can be placed on a lot. Home Building Experts explain that reviewing these regulations early can prevent costly redesigns or delays later in the project.

Working with a builder during the land selection stage also allows homeowners to compare multiple properties more effectively. By reviewing site conditions, infrastructure access, and potential construction challenges, buyers can make more informed decisions about which lot best supports their vision for a custom home.

The HelloNation article emphasizes that purchasing land first is not always required when planning a custom build. Instead, involving a builder early in the process can create a smoother path from property selection to construction. Evaluating grading requirements, infrastructure availability, and lot suitability ahead of time helps homeowners avoid surprises and better align their plans with realistic construction expectations.

Do You Need Land Before Hiring a Custom Home Builder? features insights from Jennifer L. Gerben Nettles, Home Building Expert of Lexington, South Carolina, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation
HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative “edvertising” approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/custom-home-builder-selection-in-lexington-sc-guidance-outlined-in-hellonation-featuring-home-building-expert-jennifer-l-gerben-nettles-302896381.html

SOURCE HelloNation

Continue Reading

Trending