Dukas Public Relations has been named AOR for Raymond James, a financial services firm with about $235 billion in client assets. The firm is charged with getting the company top-tier business media coverage.

PRWeek UK reports that Freud Communications is providing pro bono PR services for Nobel Prize winner Liu Xiaobo and the campaign for his release. The firm is working with the nonprofit Freedom Now on the effort.

Hamilton Public Relations and parent company Bodden Partners have added Hofstra University to its client roster. The firms will create a marketing program for the 2010-2011 basketball season. This is the second year the firm has been chosen.

PepsiCo has hired Ruder Finn for the Mountain Dew brand, PRWeek reports. The firm has worked with the brand previously for the launch of Mountain Dew Whiteout. According to Joe Jacuzzi, VP of product and brand comms for PepsiCo Americas Beverages, the brand had previously worked with Porter Novelli but ended the relationship in Q1 2010.