WASHINGTON DC: Shandwick has trebled its operation in the US
capital with the pounds 50 million acquisition of public affairs group
Cassidy Companies.
Cassidy is Washington’s largest public affairs company, with a staff of
200. Shandwick already has a team of 100 in the city. Shandwick parent
Interpublic Group is understood to have paid between pounds 43 million
and pounds 50 million for Cassidy.
Shandwick International CEO Scott Meyer said: ’Washington is the world’s
most important decision centre - for international as well as US
companies.’
The Cassidy group includes government relations firms Cassidy and
Associates and Boland and Madigan; PR firm Powell and Tate; opinion
research and polling outfit Frederick Schneiders Research; and Bork and
Associates, which specialises in litigation communications.
Until its acquisition last week, it had been affiliated to the Grayling
Group, which owns London lobbyist Westminster Strategy. Grayling is
understood to have been keen to acquire the Cassidy Group.
Gerald Cassidy, who founded Cassidy and Associates in 1975 and is
chairman and CEO of the group, will oversee the combined business as
chairman and CEO, Shandwick Washington. He will report to Shandwick US
CEO Michael Petruzzello.
Shandwick Washington will merge with Powell Tate and operate under the
name Shandwick public affairs. Powell Tate chairman and CEO Jody Powell
will take on the same role at the combined group, while co-founder
Sheila Tate will become vice-chair. David Krawitz, who heads the
Shandwick office in Washington, will become president and managing
director.
- Shandwick’s broadcast arm has signed a deal with Reuters to provide
Shandwick clients with broadcast and new media services internationally.
