Middleberg Communications has acquired G.S. Schwartz & Co., the New York firm founded by 44-year PR veteran Jerry Schwartz.
Schwartz told O’Dwyer’s he has known CEO Don Middleberg for several years and approached him a few months ago about taking on G.S. Schwartz clients and staff.
Schwartz |
“When you have a 30-year history in your firm, you don’t just walk away one day and close,” said Schwartz, 64, who will take a senior counseling role with Middleberg. “Don presented a wonderful opportunity and I feel secure in transitioning our clients and staff over to him.”
Middleberg said he and Schwartz have been “friendly competitors” for years. “I was very flattered when he came to me,” he said.
Schwartz’ firm had revenue of $3.8M last year with clients like Anheuser-Busch, Hallmark, the Toy Industry Association and Dow Jones & Co.
Middleberg, who sold his 150-staffer tech firm to Euro RSCG in 2000, opened MC in 2006. The firm has made a series of smaller acquisitions, including the Dowd Agency and The Weiser Group in 2009, and TowersGroup in 2006.
Two principals of Towers who joined MC after that deal – Scott Sunshine and Andrew Healey -- recently left the firm to set up their own shop, Water & Wall Group.
MC has about 20 staffers and revenue in the $3M range.
“I have a longer view of what I want to do with writing and other things, but in the short term I will work with Don,” said Schwartz, who started out in PR as a writer and press relations staffer for the American Stock Exchange.
He later moved to Harshe-Rotman & Druck in the mid-1970s before setting up his firm in 1981.
Schwartz writes a blog at http://www.hardingplace.typepad.com.