Finn Partners Announces Acquisition of Widmeyer Communications, Inc

Finn Partners Expands Public Affairs and Education Expertise With Highly Respected DC-Based Firm

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Jul 10, 2013, 09:06 ET

NEW YORK, July 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Finn Partners today announced the acquisition of Widmeyer Communications, further expanding the firm's presence in Washington, DC and New York. With annual fees of approximately $10 million and 40 employees, and a ranking as one of the country's leading independent Washington- based agencies, Widmeyer will become a Finn Partners company.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130710/NY44620 )

This acquisition complements the strong organic growth Finn Partners has seen in its first 18 months and underscores the importance of Washington, which, as the hub of regulatory and legislative decision making, continues to become more important to clients around the globe. With the acquisition of Widmeyer, Finn Partners now offers clients notable expertise in the education sector as well as public opinion research along with its already established practices in Technology, Consumer, Corporate, Public Affairs, the Arts, Tourism/ Economic Development, Global Issues and Health.

Founding Partner, Peter Finn said today, "We are deepening our bench of practitioners to meet the increasing demand for public affairs and strategic communications with one of the most respected teams in the Washington market. And, the Widmeyer acquisition will bolster our ability to deliver meaningful, award winning campaigns."

Widmeyer, with offices in Washington and in New York, is widely recognized as America's leading firm in the highly coveted education space. With this acquisition, the combined Finn Partners/Widmeyer office in Washington, will become Finn Partners' second largest office after its New York Headquarters.

Widmeyer Communications will continue to be headed by its founder Scott Widmeyer, who takes on the additional title of Managing Partner, Finn Partners.

Two Widmeyer veterans—Margaret Dunning and Jason Smith—will continue in their leadership roles with the new venture, with Jason Smith leading Widmeyer's PK-12 education practice, and Margaret Dunning leading Widmeyer's higher education practice as well as its research and polling division. Jessica Ross continues to head Finn Partners in Washington and all will assume the title of Managing Partner, Finn Partners. They will report into Richard Funess, Senior Managing Partner in New York and Peter Finn.

On the new partnership, Finn further commented, "I have known Scott Widmeyer for almost 20 years and have long admired the company he has built. Widmeyer's recognized leadership in the education sector makes it a very good fit for Finn Partners as we are both committed to working on important issues related to the well-being of the world we live in -- a core value for Finn Partners."

"Peter Finn has built an inspiring agency," said Scott Widmeyer, "and we believe that joining forces with Finn Partners will allow us to better serve the needs of our clients and provide new opportunities to our staffs. Peter's vision and my vision are so aligned that this new venture is smart from a cultural, business and philosophical standpoint. Their recent award as America's Best Agency to Work For is indicative of the type of agency culture we all want." He added, "This is a superb way for Widmeyer Communications to mark its 25^th anniversary, and I thank our many clients who have been with us over the years, some even from our very beginning in 1988 and think they will be delighted and well-served by this new structure."

The current Finn Partners' Washington office will move into the Widmeyer offices at 1129 20^th Street, N.W. before the end of 2013. Widmeyer's New York office will move into the Finn Partners' New York office at 301 East 57^th Street before the end of 2013.

Stevens Gould Pincus brought this acquisition opportunity to Finn Partners and facilitated the transaction.

About Finn Partners
Finn Partners was launched in late 2011 to realize Peter Finn's vision to create a leading public relations agency dedicated to shaping a bold new future in which innovation and partnership are strong drivers of the brand. Finn Partners specializes in the full spectrum of public relations services, including digital and social media. Our specialty areas include technology, consumer, travel/economic development, education, global issues, arts, health, and public and corporate affairs. Finn Partners was named "Best New Agency" in 2012 and "Best Agency to Work For" in 2013 by the industry's Holmes Report. Headquartered in New York City, the company has approximately 230 employees, with regional offices in Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, London, Los Angeles, Jerusalem, San Francisco and Washington D.C., and has additional international capabilities through its own global network of affiliates. Find us at www.finnpartners.com and follow us on Twitter @finnpartners.

About Widmeyer Communications
Founded in 1988, Widmeyer is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The foundation of Widmeyer Communications has been anchored around public policy issues in the fields of education, health care, the economy, workforce development and energy. From representing Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, labor, non-profits and the philanthropic community, Widmeyer has been at the forefront of breakthrough efforts ranging from school reform, the well-being of children, equality and consumer protection. We help our clients through good times and bad. Whether it's rolling out new ideas on matters of public policy or guiding a client through a crisis, Widmeyer has been there. This year, the Holmes Report selected Widmeyer as one of several Top Corporate PR Firms in North America, and last fall, Widmeyer was named by PR Week and the Council of PR Firms for its "Diversity Distinction in PR Award." And, in 2010, Scott Widmeyer was inducted into the PR Hall of Fame by PR News. Find more information on us at www.widmeyer.com and follow us on Twitter @WidmeyerComms.

CONTACT:
Cindy Coppola
Finn Partners
212.593.6493
[email protected]

SOURCE Finn Partners