Bender/Assistant teams for int'l PR network

PR consultants Bender/Assistant Impact and German-based Indigo Pearls have released the Surround Group, an worldwide network for PR, social networking and internet marketing, the businesses introduced Thursday. The venture will concentrate on entertainment, media and consumer tech. Services in local constituencies includes crisis management, video article marketing and Web design. Other participants includes Marketingworks, Argentina's Dixit Communicaciones, Australia's Red-colored Agency, Brazil's Grupocasa, Canada's Webidiotz, Chile's HiLinks, India's Approach Communications and Mexico's Joint Communications and 3NMedia. Partners in Korea, China and Japan will quickly be introduced. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com