MarketInk: (W)right On Communications launches new specialized agencies

(W)right On Communications (WOC), a San Diego-based strategic communications and public relations firm founded in 1998, has launched two new specialized agencies called WOC Resonance and WOC Signal.

WOC Resonance will focus on community trust environments, including senior living, tourism and nonprofit organizations. WOC Signal will focus on business-to-business (B2B) sectors, including clean energy, advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity.

“As the world gets more complex, it’s advantageous to specialize,” Julie Wright, WOC president and founder, told Times of San Diego. “Industry experience makes on-boarding quicker and brings efficiencies that clients appreciate.”

Wright said the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) search capabilities motivated the opening of WOC’s two new specialized agencies.

“AI-driven search is a game changer and made now the right time to launch our specialized agencies,” she said. “Within a day of their launch, the top AI platforms and Google AI Overviews all understood WOC Resonance and Signal and could cite them in relevant queries. That’s warp speed compared to SEO alone.”

WOC Resonance will be led by David Cumpston, who has more than 25 years of PR and strategic communications experience, including the past four years with WOC where he led the firm’s senior living, tourism, education and nonprofit practices. A native Texan, Cumpston spent the majority of his PR career in the San Francisco Bay area before relocating to San Diego five years ago.

WOC Signal will be led by Larry Smalheiser, a 25-year PR and strategic communications executive who joined WOC in 2023 to oversee the firm’s B2B and technology practice. Smalheiser began his career in technology PR in Japan and later held agency leadership roles in the U.S. before moving to San Diego to serve in executive and corporate communications at Sony Electronics.

“After 28 years, (W)right on Communications has evolved two core areas of expertise that both addressed stakeholder trust and client credibility but in very distinct ways,” Wright said.

Wright also said WOC Resonance and WOC Signal will be supported by WOC through shared infrastructure, administrative support and services that aren’t sector specific, including AI visibility, creative, crisis counsel and media and presentation training.

“Community-serving organizations are under growing pressure to preserve stakeholder trust, while complex B2B companies have to work harder than ever to establish and maintain the credibility they need to scale,” said Wright. “WOC Resonance and WOC Signal bring proven sector expertise to these environments, delivering specialized communications with trust and credibility as the through-line.”

“For nearly three decades, (W)right On Communications has helped organizations successfully navigate complexity, scrutiny and change for stakeholder benefit,” said Grant Wright, WOC CEO. “Today we’re refocusing this experience, our AI visibility expertise and trusted agency systems to help WOC Resonance and WOC Signal address the evolving communications demands their client partners face.”

WOC was founded in 1998 by Julie Wright in her hometown of Vancouver, British Columbia. The agency later expanded to San Diego and opened offices in Los Angeles and North Vancouver, B.C. The agency was recently named to the PR News 2026 Agency Elite Top 120 list. WOC also has been named to Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Public Relations Agencies.

San Diego’s Team Lewis office named agency of record for PetScreening

The San Diego office of Team Lewis, a global communications agency, has announced that PetScreening, a pet policy management software company has named Team Lewis as its agency of record (AOR) after a competitive process.

Team Lewis will provide integrated public relations services and brand-first campaigns for PetScreening’s short-term rental (STR) services, a statement said.

A Team Lewis spokesperson told Times of San Diego that Team Lewis team members in San Diego pitched PetScreening, headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina. PetScreening will be supported by the San Diego-based account team, which has sector experience, the spokesperson said.

As pet-related requests grow in volume and complexity, PetScreening is investing in brand visibility and education to help short-term rental operators and property managers manage pet and animal policies consistently, stay compliant and improve the resident experience, a statement said.

A statement also said PetScreening has set ambitious 2026 goals to grow STR visibility and generate new leads. It selected Team Lewis for its integrated marketing and needle-moving creative capabilities.

“Team Lewis will help sharpen the story behind modern pet policy management through creative, media relations and executive thought leadership,” a statement said.

“We are excited to partner with Team Lewis to amplify PetScreening’s STR, Vacation Rental platform,” said Kristine Champion, PetScreening senior VP of marketing. “Pet-friendly accommodations are among the most sought-after features for travelers, and this solution expands options for guests to find homes that welcome their pets while helping property managers protect their assets and benefit from pet-related revenue. A true win-win for everyone involved.”

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in London, Team Lewis operates 27 offices throughout Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and North America. Team Lewis offices in the U.S. are located in Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and San Diego. Team Lewis’ San Diego office is located at One America Plaza, 600 West Broadway, Downtown San Diego.

San Diego Press Club hosts husband-and-wife journalists

The San Diego Press Club (SDPC) will host an interview over Zoom with husband-and-wife journalists Jesse Marx and Jackie Bryant from 6 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 14. Cost is free. The broadcast is open to the public.

Since 2014, Marx has served as student media manager for San Diego State University’s School of Journalism and Media Studies. He oversees the student-run Daily Aztec newspaper and KCR radio station. Previously, he was an associate editor at Voice of San Diego and an investigative reporter at the San Francisco Chronicle.

Bryant, an independent journalist specializing in cannabis business and culture, writes for Leaf Nation magazine and co-hosts a podcast focusing on the cannabis industry titled “Puff Puff Press” and “Happy Half Hour,” a podcast from San Diego Magazine. Her column on Substack is titled “Cannabitch.” She also writes about labor, criminal justice, travel, arts and restaurants. She also is a lecturer at SDSU. Previously, she served as managing editor at San Diego Magazine.

Ron Donoho, editor of The San Diego Sun, a local online news outlet, will moderate the conversation. Topics will include the evolving media industry landscape, media career tracks, how to be inspired by journalism and when to pivot.

For more event information and to RSVP, visit www.sdpressclub.org, or send an email to admin@sdpressclub.org. Following registration, attendees will receive the event Zoom link.