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Recent Developments in the Public Relations Industry: Worldcom PR Group Expands Partnership, Ironmark Acquires Deliver Media and L & D Mail Masters, and Davis+Gilbert’s M&A Activity Tracker Shows Slowdown
The Worldcom Public Relations Group, a global partnership of independent public relations firms, has recently welcomed two new members to its network. Baltimore-based Abel Communications, established in 2005, specializes in creating awareness-building campaigns for clients across various industries, with a focus on companies in the Mid-Atlantic region. McDougall Communications, founded in Rochester, NY in 2011, offers a range of services including strategic planning, media relations, reputation management, and digital platform management for clients worldwide.
Stephanie Paul, managing director of The Phillips Group and Worldcom’s global recruitment chair, praised the new additions, stating that both Abel Communications and McDougall Communications are highly respected in their local markets and bring valuable regional, national, and global PR experience to the partnership.
In other news, Ironmark, a company providing digital marketing, web development, and predictive analytics services, has acquired Deliver Media and L & D Mail Masters. Deliver Media, based in Tampa, specializes in launching marketing campaigns using first-party data and predictive analytics powered by machine learning. L & D Mail Masters, a direct mail firm, offers solutions for direct marketing needs from campaign design to implementation.
Sean Johnson, CEO of Deliver Media, will now serve as chief strategy officer for Ironmark, while Jill Peden of L & D Mail Masters joins as VP of sales and marketing. Ironmark CEO Jeff Ostenso expressed excitement about the acquisition, stating that it solidifies Ironmark’s position as a national leader in strategy and execution across digital and physical channels.
On a different note, Davis+Gilbert’s Public Relations Industry M&A Activity Tracker has reported a slowdown in M&A deal activity in the PR industry this year. The number of completed deals between January and April decreased from 40 last year to 36 in 2024, with a slight increase in North America but a significant drop in Europe. The report also highlighted that more than half of sellers this year had revenue of less than $6 million at the time of the sale, with integrated firms being the top specialty among sellers.
Overall, these developments in the PR industry showcase a mix of growth, consolidation, and market trends that are shaping the landscape for PR firms and their clients.
