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2019 PR Agency M&A Transactions

Agency M&A Lists:

The following public relations agency M&A transactions were announced in 2019. To be included on this list, the buying or selling agency must have public relations or integrated communications as one of its core services. Data about the buyers and sellers is derived from publicly-available information in press releases, media coverage, agency websites, and LinkedIn.

Modamedia

Modamedia/SMG acquired by dovetail solutions

Seller: Modamedia/SMG (Sacramento, CA)
Buyer: dovetail solutions (Denver, CO)

Announced: December 13, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 6
Seller Founded: 1994
Seller Focus: Public Relations
Coverage: AnnouncementBulldog Reporter

Dynamo PR

DynamoPR acquired by Clarity

Seller: Dynamo PR (London, UK)
Buyer: Clarity (London, UK)

Announced: December 11, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 8
Seller Founded: 2011
Seller Focus: Public Relations
Coverage: Announcement | Holmes Report | O’Dwyer’s | PR Week | Bulldog Reporter

Medical & Health Consulting (MHC) acquired by Finn Partners

Seller: Medical & Health Consulting (MHC) (Paris, France)
Buyer: Finn Partners (New York, NY)

Announced: December 4, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 5
Seller Founded: 2013
Seller Focus: Health
Coverage: Announcement | PR Week

Canale Communications acquired by UDG Healthcare

Seller: Canale Communications (San Diego, CA)
Buyer: UDG Healthcare (Dublin, Ireland)

Announced: November 26, 2019
Buyer Type: Consulting Firm
Seller Employees: 25
Seller Founded: 2010
Seller Focus: Life Sciences
Coverage: Announcement | San Diego Union-Tribune | O’Dwyer’s | PR Week

Tessio Labs

Tessio Labs acquired by Seven Letter

Seller: Tessio Labs (New York, NY)
Buyer: Seven Letter (Washington, DC)

Announced: November 12, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 5
Seller Founded: 2018
Seller Focus: Digital
Coverage: Announcement | PR Week | Capitol Communicator | O’Dwyer’s

Radius DIgital Science

Radius Digital Science acquired by W2O Group

Seller: Radius Digital Science (Montclair, NJ)
Buyer: W2O Group (San Francisco, CA)

Announced: November 11, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 25
Seller Founded: 2014
Seller Focus: Digital/Science
Coverage: Announcement

ZPR

ZPR acquired by Finn Partners

Seller: ZPR (London, UK)
Buyer: Finn Partners (New York, NY)

Announced: November 8, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 20
Seller Founded: Unknown
Seller Focus: Public Relations
Coverage: Announcement

Pink Sparrow

Pink Sparrow acquired by Acceleration Community of Companies

Seller: Pink Sparrow (Brooklyn, NY)
Buyer: Acceleration Community of Companies (Los Angeles, CA)

Announced: November 6, 2019
Buyer Type: Holding Company
Seller Employees: 52
Seller Founded: 2013
Seller Focus: Experiential Marketing
Coverage: Announcement

MKG

MKG acquired by Acceleration Community of Companies

Seller: MKG (New York, NY)
Buyer: Acceleration Community of Companies (Los Angeles, CA)

Announced: November 6, 2019
Buyer Type: Holding Company
Seller Employees: 140
Seller Founded: 2003
Seller Focus: Experiential Marketing
Coverage: Announcement

ISO.health

ISO.Health acquired by W2O Group

Seller: ISO.Health (London, UK)
Buyer: W2O Group (San Francisco, CA)

Announced: November 5, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 41
Seller Founded: 2009
Seller Focus: Research
Coverage: Announcement

db5

db5 acquired by Bastion Collective

Seller: db5 (Los Angeles, CA)
Buyer: Bastion Collective (Melbourne, Australia)

Announced: November 4, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 14
Seller Founded: 2009
Seller Focus: Research
Coverage: Announcement

Wyse Advertising

Wyse Advertising acquired by Falls Communications

Seller: Wyse Advertising (Cleveland, OH)
Buyer: Falls Communications (Cleveland, OH)

Announced: October 24, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 51
Seller Founded: 1951
Seller Focus: Advertising
Coverage: Announcement

Holberg Design

Holberg Design acquired by Gavin

Seller: Holberg Design (York, PA)
Buyer: Gavin (York, PA)

Announced: October 17, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 4
Seller Founded: 1988
Seller Focus: Creative
Coverage: Announcement

Remedy

Remedy acquired by Motion

Seller: Remedy (Chicago, IL)
Buyer: Motion (Chicago, IL)

Announced: October 15, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 96
Seller Founded: 1989
Seller Focus: Health
Coverage: O’Dwyer’s

Arcus Medica

Arcus Medica acquired by W2O Group

Seller: Arcus Medica (Philadelphia, PA)
Buyer: W2O Group (San Francisco, CA)

Announced: October 9, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 25
Seller Founded: 2013
Seller Focus: Health
Coverage: Announcement

Firewood

Firewood acquired by S4 Capital

Seller: Firewood (San Francisco, CA)
Buyer: S4 Capital / MediaMonks (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Announced: October 8, 2019
Buyer Type: Holding Company
Seller Employees: 382
Seller Founded: 2010
Seller Focus: Digital
Coverage: Announcement

Health Unlimited

Health Unlimited USA acquired by Next 15

Seller: Health Unlimited USA (New York, NY)
Buyer: Next 15 (London, UK)

Announced: October 1, 2019
Buyer Type: Holding Company
Seller Employees: 114
Seller Founded: 1994
Seller Focus: Health
Coverage: Announcement

Aperture Strategies

Aperture Strategies acquired by Bully Pulpit Interactive

Seller: Aperture Strategies (Washington, DC)
Buyer: Bully Pulpit Interactive (Washington, DC)

Announced: September 23, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 1
Seller Founded: Unknown
Seller Focus: Public Affairs
Coverage: PR Week

SPI Group

SPI Group acquired by Ruder Finn

Seller: SPI Group (Fairfield, NJ)
Buyer: Ruder Finn (New York, NY)

Announced: September 19, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 30
Seller Founded: 1997
Seller Focus: Health
Coverage: Announcement

Red Squirrel Communications acquired by Freshwater

Seller: Red Squirrel Communications (Cardiff, UK)
Buyer: Freshwater (Cardiff, UK)

Announced: September 17, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 1
Seller Founded: 2009
Seller Focus: Health Public Affairs
Coverage: Announcement

54 Brands

54 Brands acquired by Buffalo Groupe

Seller: 54 Brands (Charlotte, NC)
Buyer: Buffalo Groupe (Reston, VA)

Announced: September 9, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 8
Seller Founded: 1985
Seller Focus: Golf
Coverage: Golf Inc.

GreenSmith

GreenSmith PR acquired by Yes&

Seller: GreenSmith PR (Washington, DC)
Buyer: Yes& (Alexandria, VA)

Announced: September 4, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 3
Seller Founded: 2000
Seller Focus: Public Relations
Coverage: Announcement

Kohnstamm Communications

Kohnstamm Communications acquired by Broadhead

Seller: Kohnstamm Communications (St. Paul, MN)
Buyer: Broadhead (Minneapolis, MN)

Announced: September 4, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 14
Seller Founded: 1990
Seller Focus: Food and Beverage
Coverage: Announcement

Lazar Partners

Lazar Partners acquired by Finn Partners

Seller: Lazar Partners (New York, NY)
Buyer: Finn Partners (New York, NY)

Announced: September 4, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 22
Seller Founded: 2001
Seller Focus: Health
Coverage: O’Dwyer’s

Internet Marketing Inc.

Internet Marketing Inc. acquired by REQ

Seller: Internet Marketing Inc. (San Diego, CA)
Buyer: REQ (Washington, DC)

Announced: August 21, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: Unknown
Seller Founded: 2008
Seller Focus: Performance Marketing
Coverage: Announcement

IMA

IMA acquired by S4 Capital

Seller: IMA (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
Buyer: S4 Capital / MediaMonks (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Announced: August 12, 2019 
Buyer Type: Holding Company
Seller Employees: 85
Seller Founded: 2010
Seller Focus: Influencer Marketing
Coverage: PR Week

Flagship Consulting

Flagship Consulting acquired by Selbey Anderson

Seller: Flagship Consulting (London, UK)
Buyer: Selbey Anderson (London, UK)

Announced: July 25, 2019
Buyer Type: Holding Company
Seller Employees: 15
Seller Founded: 1989
Seller Focus: Financial & Professional Services
Coverage: Announcement

NEXTFACTOR

NEXTFactor acquired by MMGY Global

Seller: NEXTFactor Enterprises (Vancouver, BC)
Buyer: MMGY Global (Kansas City, MO)

Announced: July 22, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 6
Seller Founded: 2015
Seller Focus: Travel & Tourism
Coverage: Announcement

Sopexa

Sopexa acquired by Hopscotch

Seller: Sopexa (France)
Buyer: Hopscotch (Paris, France)

Announced: July 9, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 280
Seller Founded: 1961
Seller Focus: Lifestyle/Food & Drink
Coverage: Holmes Report

Capella PR

Capella PR acquired by PAN Communications

Seller: Capella PR (London, UK)
Buyer: PAN Communications (Boston, MA)

Announced: July 9, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 8
Seller Founded: 2012
Seller Focus: Technology/Finance
Coverage: Announcement

UMBRLA

Umbrla acquired by Multiply

Seller: Umbrla (Denver, CO)
Buyer: Multiply (New York, NY)

Announced: June 20, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 3
Seller Founded: 2016
Seller Focus: Social Content
Coverage: PR Week

Stratagem

Stratagem merges with Connect

Seller: Strategem (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
Buyer: Connect (London, UK)

Announced: June 17, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 8
Seller Founded: 1998
Seller Focus: Public Affairs
Coverage: Announcement

Stitch Communications

Stitch Communications acquired by Deloitte

Seller: Stitch Communications (Bristol, UK)
Buyer: Deloitte (New York, NY)

Announced: June 4, 2019
Buyer Type: Consulting Firm
Seller Employees: 15
Seller Founded: 2011
Seller Focus: Internal Communications
Coverage: Announcement

Rsquared

Rsquared acquired by Next 15

Seller: Rsquared (San Francisco, CA)
Buyer: Next 15 / Archetype (San Francisco, CA)

Announced: June 1, 2019
Buyer Type: Holding Company
Seller Employees: 8
Seller Founded: 2009
Seller Focus: Technology
Coverage: Holmes Report

Creativ-Ceutical

Creativ-Ceutical acquired by Huntsworth

Seller: Creativ-Ceutical (Luxembourg)
Buyer: Huntsworth (London, UK)

Announced: May 21, 2019
Buyer Type: Holding Company
Seller Employees: 130
Seller Founded: 2008
Seller Focus: Research
Coverage: Morningstar

Message

Message acquired by Gonring, Spahn and Associates

Seller: Message (Los Angeles, CA)
Buyer: Gonring, Spahn and Associates (Los Angeles, CA)

Announced: May 21, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 8
Seller Founded: 2012
Seller Focus: Strategic Communications
Coverage: O’Dwyer’s

Kyne

Kyne acquired by Huntsworth

Seller: Kyne (Dublin, Ireland)
Buyer: Huntsworth / Evoke (London, UK)

Announced: May 21, 2019
Buyer Type: Holding Company
Seller Employees: 100
Seller Founded: 2009
Seller Focus: Health
Coverage: Announcement

Uproar PR

Uproar PR acquired by Kanaris Group

Seller: Uproar PR (Orlando, FL)
Buyer: Kanaris Group (Annapolis, MD)

Announced: May 13, 2019
Buyer Type: Investor
Seller Employees: 50
Seller Founded: 2011
Seller Focus: PR and Social Media
Coverage: Announcement

Digital Brand Group acquired by Bastion Collective

Seller: Digital Brand Group (Irvine, CA)
Buyer: Bastion Collective (Melbourne, Australia)

Announced: May 8, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 25
Seller Founded: 2006
Seller Focus: Digital
Coverage: Announcement

Rare Branding

Rare Branding acquired by Bastion Collective

Seller: Rare Branding (Irvine, CA)
Buyer: Bastion Collective (Melbourne, Australia)

Announced: May 8, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: Unknown
Seller Founded: 2016
Seller Focus: Digital
Coverage: Announcement

Cheryl Andrews Marketing Communications

Cheryl Andrews Marketing Communications aquired by Zapwater

Seller: Cheryl Andrews Marketing Communications (Miami, FL)
Buyer: Zapwater Communications (Chicago, IL)

Announced: April 25, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 15
Seller Founded: 1984
Seller Focus: Travel & Tourism
Coverage: Announcement

Astro Media

Astro Media acquired by SutherlandGold

Seller: Astro Media (New York, NY)
Buyer: SutherlandGold Group (San Francisco, CA)

Announced: April 23, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 1
Seller Founded: 2010
Seller Focus: Digital
Coverage: Announcement

Greentarget

Greentarget acquired by Selbey Anderson

Seller: Greentarget (London, UK)
Buyer: Selbey Anderson (London, UK)

Announced: April 11, 2019
Buyer Type: Holding Company
Seller Employees: 20
Seller Founded: 2006
Seller Focus: Financial Services
Coverage: Announcement

Digital Spring

Digital Spring acquired by MMGY Global

Seller: Digital Spring (London, UK)
Buyer: MMGY Global (Kansas City, MO)

Announced: April 11, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 19
Seller Founded: 2011
Seller Focus: Digital
Coverage: Announcement

Hanover Communications acquired by Avenir Global

Seller: Hanover Communications (London, UK)
Buyer: Avenir Global (Montreal, Quebec)

Announced: April 4, 2019
Buyer Type: Holding Company
Seller Employees: 175
Seller Founded: 1998
Seller Focus: Public Relations
Coverage: Announcement

Droga5

Droga5 acquired by Accenture

Seller: Droga5 (New York, NY)
Buyer: Accenture (Dublin, Ireland)

Announced: April 3, 2019
Buyer Type: Consulting Firm
Seller Employees: 600
Seller Founded: 2006
Seller Focus: Creative
Coverage: Announcement | New York Times | PR Week

LFPR acquired by Bastion Collective

Seller: LFPR (Irvina, CA)
Buyer: Bastion Collective (Melbourne, Australia)

Announced: April 2, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: Unknown
Seller Founded: Unknown
Seller Focus: Digital
Coverage: Announcement

Vertical Measures

Vertical Measures acquired by Investis Digital

Seller: Vertical Measures (Phoenix, AZ)
Buyer: Investis Digital (London, UK)

Announced: April 1, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 60
Seller Founded: 2012
Seller Focus: Digital
Coverage: Announcement

Nicheplus

NichePlus Digital acquired by AMF Media Group

Seller: NichePlus Digital (Vancouver, BC)
Buyer:  AMF Media Group (San Ramon, CA)

Announced: April 1, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees:
Seller Founded: 2012
Seller Focus: Digital
Coverage: Announcement

Sepia Communications

Sepia Communications acquired by Next 15

Seller: Sepia Communications (London, UK)
Buyer: Next 15 / OutCast (San Francisco, CA)

Announced: March 25, 2019
Buyer Type: Holding Company
Seller Employees:  16
Seller Founded: 2012
Seller Focus: Public Relations
Coverage: Announcement | PR Week

BJL

BJL acquired by Dentsu Aegis Network

Seller:  BJL (Manchester, UK)
Buyer: Dentsu Aegis Network (London, UK)

Announced: March 19, 2019
Buyer Type: Holding Company
Seller Employees:  75
Seller Founded: 1987
Seller Focus: Creative
Coverage: Release

Springbox acquired by Prophet

Seller:  Springbox (Austin, TX)
Buyer: Prophet (San Francisco, CA)

Announced: March 1, 2019
Buyer Type: Consulting Firm
Seller Employees:  89
Seller Founded: 2004
Seller Focus: Digital
Coverage: Release

Intermarket Communications

Intermarket acquired by Lansons

Seller: Intermarket Communications (New York, NY)
Buyer: Lansons (London, UK)

Announced: February 22, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees:  15
Seller Founded: 1986
Seller Focus: Financial Services
Coverage: PR Week

Moorgate Communications acquired by Finn Partners

Seller: Moorgate Communications (London, UK)
Buyer: Finn Partners (New York, NY)

Announced: February 14, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees:  16
Seller Founded: 2002
Seller Focus: Financial Services
Coverage: Release

Small Army

Small Army acquired by Finn Partners

Seller: Small Army (Boston, MA)
Buyer: Finn Partners (New York, NY)

Announced: February 7, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees: 45
Seller Founded: 2002
Seller Focus: Digital
Coverage: Announcement

Publicum PR

Publicum Group and Idea Group acquired by Havas

Sellers: Publicum Group and Idea Group (Lithuania & Estonia)
Buyer: Havas Group (Paris, France)
Announced: January 29, 2019
Buyer Type: Holding Company
Seller Employees:  Unknown
Seller Founded: 2001 (Publicum)
Seller Focus: PR in the Baltics
Coverage: Holmes Report

Codeword

Codeword acquired by WE Communications

Seller: Codeword (New York, NY)
Buyer: WE Communications (Bellevue, WA)
Announced: January 16, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees:  75
Seller Founded: 2010
Seller Focus: Content Marketing
Coverage: Holmes Report

SpeakerBox

Speakerbox acquired by REQ

Seller: SpeakerBox (Vienna, VA)
Buyer: REQ (Washington, DC)
Announced: January 16, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees:  8
Seller Founded: 1997
Seller Focus: Technology
Coverage: Capitol Communicator

Z|COMM

Z|COMM acquired by rbb Communications

Seller: Z|COMM (Miami, FL)
Buyer: rbb Communications (Miami, FL)
Announced: January 16, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees:  5
Seller Founded: 2001
Seller Focus: Lifestyle
Coverage: Announcement

CatchOn acquired by Finn Partners

Seller: CatchOn (Hong Kong)
Buyer: Finn Partners (New York, NY)
Announced: January 9, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees:  30
Seller Founded: 1997
Seller Focus: Travel & Lifestyle
Coverage: Announcement

Mansfield Communications

Mansfield Communications acquired by Proof

Seller: Mansfield Communications (Toronto, Ontario)
Buyer: Proof (Toronto, Ontario)
Announced: January 7, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees:  6
Seller Founded: 2013
Seller Focus: Traditional and Digital PR
Coverage: Announcement

Westwicke Partners

Westwicke Partners acquired by ICR

Seller: Westwicke Partners (Baltimore, MD)
Buyer: ICR (New York, NY)
Announced: January 3, 2019
Buyer Type: Independent
Seller Employees:  75
Seller Founded: 2006
Seller Focus: Healthcare
Coverage: Announcement

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