SAN FRANCISCO: Allison+Partners has hired b-to-b technology firm New Venture Communications’ entire team in a move that expands the agency’s footprint in San Francisco.
Rich Moore and Lisa Kelaita, cofounders and principals of New Venture, will join Allison as MDs overseeing the firm’s Silicon Valley operations. Robin Bectel, SVP at New Venture, will move to Allison’s Washington, DC, office.
Allison has gained clients through the deal including solar systems provider FirstSolar; email marketing company Strongview; and application developer Boundless. The Anita Borg Institute, a nonprofit aimed at advancing women in technology, is another new Allison client.
Phil Carpenter, senior partner for the West Coast at Allison, said the firm will no longer use the New Venture brand.
"We have historically done some very nice work in the enterprise technology space, but we see continued demand that frankly outstripped our supply, so we were really looking for partners who would bring deep b-to-b experience there," he explained.
The idea of hiring New Venture’s team came from Dave Schneider, Allison’s MD of international growth, who previously worked with Moore at Copithorne & Bellows, Carpenter said. No client conflicts arose from the partnership, he added.
"This is the time to win significant business from which we will reap the rewards in 2015," Carpenter explained.
New Ventures, founded in 2004, was based in San Mateo, California. Allison has offices in San Francisco and Silicon Valley, as well as New York, London, Beijing among its 18 around the world.
In 2013, Allison’s US revenue increased 21.8% compared with the year prior to $28.1 million. Global revenue was $28.8 million.
