Ohio's Fahlgren Mortine has acquired 17-year-old New York and Denver-based travel and outdoor lifestyle shop Turner PR with plans to operate the firm as an independent brand.

Turner has 28 staffers and is led by Denver-based Christine Turner, who said the deal allows the firm to continue to "do what we love, and [gives] us the resources to grow."

Turner handles destinations like Utah and Albuquerque, N.M., as well as brands including Airwalk and Levi's.

The firms said the merger puts the combined entity into the top 15 of independent firms. Fahglren posted $12.4M in revenue on strong growth in 2012.

Neil Mortine, president and CEO of FM, cited Turner's travel, tourism and active lifestyle experience, as well as its digital PR savvy in announcing the deal. "They've done a tremendous job of talent acquisition and the retention of deep industry expertise, and their client list speaks for itself."

FM plans to build its future tourism PR business under the Turner name.

Financial terms were not disclosed. StevensGouldPincus facilitated the acquisition.

The deal follow's FM's 2010 acquisition of Cleveland's Edward Howard & Co., as well as Columbus interactive shop GRIP digital and Dayton ad agency Sabatino/Day.