Two boutique technology PR firms, Wake Forest, NC’s Connect2 Communications and Oakland, CA’s Engage PR, have merged to form a new bio-coastal tech shop. The name of the new outfit is Witz Communications.

Witz Communications

Engage was founded in 2001 and is led by CEO Jeannette Bitz. The Silicon Valley firm counts 365 Data Centers, Calix, Riverbed, Sigma and Spotfire as clients. Connect2 was founded in 2003 by CEO Rich Williams. Clients include Metaswitch Networks, VOSS, bti, MRV, Adtran, and Mintera.

Now operating under one umbrella, the new full-service B2B agency will focus on media and analyst relations, strategy, content development and social media marketing for clients working in the telecom, security, IoT, data center, cloud and related industries.

The former NC and CA offices of Connect2 and Engage have been rechristened as Witz Communications locations and all staff in both markets will remain onboard as part of the new company. Both former companies’ senior leaders will also remain in their respective locations but will now split responsibilities at the new agency, with Williams serving as Witz chief strategy officer and Bitz serving as chief relationship officer.

Williams told O’Dwyer’s that the merger brings together two agencies with similar strengths and approaches and also positions the company geographically, with offices in two major tech hubs — Research Triangle Park and Silicon Valley — that will deepen opportunities and better meet clients’ need.

 “This merger is about scale, range and reach for Witz and our tech clients,” Williams told O’Dwyer’s. “It brings together two teams that are focused on creating the stories that matter most, that align programs to our clients’ business objectives. It will be able to deliver the media relationships, produce the content and leverage social to quickly move our clients’ business forward. We are also hearing from clients and prospects alike about their desire for an agency with a presence on both coasts."