|
|
Crayton WebbCrayton Webb, a Dallas TV journalist turned PR pro who led corporate social responsibility and corporate communications efforts for beauty products direct marketing giant Mary Kay, has acquired Dallas-based PR and public affairs firm Sunwest Communications.
Terms of the acquisition were not publicly disclosed.
Webb joined Mary Kay in 2005, initially managing government relations before being named director of CSR & corporate communications and later, leading the company’s global media relations, reputation management, PR and crisis communications efforts as vice president.
He was previously chief of staff to Dallas Mayor Laura Miller (2002-05) and communications director for the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas after 10 years in TV news, including investigative reporter for KTVT (CBS) 11 in Dallas.
Webb, who now assumes the role of Sunwest CEO, said there will be no changes to the company’s name, address or account teams as a result of the transition. Outgoing CEO Andy Stern will remain involved with the firm in a new senior counsel role.
Sunwest, which was founded in 1982, provides marketing communications, community relations, corporation communications, corporate philanthropy/CSR, creative services, crisis communications, financial PR, media relations, public affairs, social media strategy, special event planning and spokesperson training to clients in the real estate, finance, tech, education and consumer sectors.
“Sunwest has a 35-year legacy of helping clients build trust, increase visibility and tell meaningful stories,” Webb told O’Dwyer’s. “Its reputation, team and client base are extraordinary, thanks to Andy Stern’s leadership and vision over the past three decades. When I considered what the next phase of my career might look like, the opportunity to build upon the foundation set by Andy at Sunwest is one that I couldn’t pass up. I’m excited and honored to continue Sunwest’s legacy and help write its next chapter.”
DJE Holdings, parent of Edelman and Zeno, launches RUTH as an independent shop named after Ruth Edelman, mental health advocate, wife and longtime business partner of Dan Edelman.
New York City PR firms make up the largest slice of O'Dwyer's 147 firm overall ranking with 33 of 40 in the New York/New Jersey area either calling Manhattan their home or having a presence there.
Subject Matter+Kivvit, which joined forces in May, has rebranded as Avoq, an integrated shop with more than 200 professionals in Washington, New York, Asbury Park (NJ), Miami and Chicago.
While PR pros stationed at in-house comms. teams and those working for agencies share many of the same objectives, they also have markedly different top priorities, according to a recent report.
Edelman is cutting 240 employees or about four percent of its workforce to cope with the cooling down of the PR sector, according to a memo from CEO Richard Edelman.
Have a comment? Send it to 
No comments have been submitted for this story yet.