BOSTON — Matter Communications has a new office in Pittsburgh, the agency’s sixth US location. The office will be led by account director Emma Gielata who previously spent five years with the agency. The expansion aims to make the agency more accessible to Pittsburgh’s tech brands and talent.

NEW YORK — The Association of National Advertisers has launched an initiative to help marketers create purpose-driven programs and solutions for their products and services. The Center for Brand Purpose will offer education, guidance and leadership capabilities to maximize marketers’ understanding of purposeful marketing and its significance to driving brand growth. Regional events and training workshops will be among the offerings.

BOSTON — Allied Global Marketing has created a new sports division, called Allied Sports, which will represent sports media and content. Allied Sports will work with advertisers and publishers with the goal of connecting each with consumers through unique sports-related branded content. The group will be led by managing director Sean Barror, who previously worked at Excel Sports Management and Endeavor.

MCLEAN, VA — Sage Communications has acquired the government marketing specialty firm Virtual Marketing. The acquisition strengthens Sage’s US public sector offerings. It also marks a strategic investment in support of the company’s long-term growth goals and elevates the capabilities and services the company provides to its public sector clientele with traditional marketing, analytics, research and innovative proprietary tools.