Madonna with cast members from her movie 'W.E.' at the Venice Film Festival.

42West vet Cynthia Swartz, who was a big part of a THR story about that firm earlier this summer, has launched her new agency Strategy PR/Consulting. The firm has a number of clients participating in next week’s Toronto Film Festival including Madonna’s new movie W.E., now showing at the Venice Film Festival to not-so-great reviews. Michael Kupferberg and Elana Zilberman, also from 42West, have joined the new firm. [via Reuters]

Global networking company NETGEAR selected Weber Shandwick as U.S. AOR after a competitive review. Work began in July. The firm will focus on expanding the brand with consumers and small businesses and building awareness in the “medium enterprise market,” said Weber EVP Tony Hynes in a press release statement.

Empaxis, a services and support company for asset managers and hedge funds, has chosen Spotlight Financial Marketing for a PR campaign that will highlight the issues and changes in the investment management industry and Empaxis’ services.

Child Group Wealth Management, a South Florida financial services company, has chosen TransMedia Group for a thought leadership campaign. The firm will promote the expertise of Child Group president, Bob Child.

Deussen Global Communications has two new clients in the California wine industry: Halter Ranch Vineyard and Vineyard & Winery Management Group, a publisher and wine event and competition host.