Integrated marketing agency lotus823 has acquired fellow New Jersey PR shop Rachel Litner Associates.

Twenty-year-old RLA, based in Livingston, handles culinary, housewares and lifestyle clients, including Cuisinart, Epicurean and Butler Home Products.

Rachel LitnerRachel Litner

David Hernandez, managing partner of Eatontown-based lotus823, which specializes in consumer tech and health and wellness, said he has personally worked with the PR firm for several years and sees a “significant synergy” in the combination.

M&A specialist The Stevens Group, along with law firms Davis & Gilbert and Fox Rothschild, advised the deal.

RLA founder and president Rachel Litner, who takes a chief strategy officer title at lotus823, said the deal creates robust growth opportunity for both firms. RLA VP Dan Kulp, an MWW and 5W alum, retains that title at lotus823.