To better reflect new business trends and serve clients, PR agencies of all sizes are starting new practices like never before.

But for these new areas to succeed, their contributions must extend beyond marketing gimmickry by including significant new resources and executive expertise.

Of late, "congressional oversight" practices have been popular agency additions - including new offerings from APCO Worldwide and Dittus Communications - to help companies prepare for tough questioning by the new Democratic-controlled Congress. Meanwhile, Edelman, like a number ...