Los Angeles-based government relations firm Gonring, Spahn and Associates has acquired strategic communications and social impact agency Message.
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Andy Spahn (L) & Steve CaplanFinancial terms of the deal weren’t publicly disclosed.
Hollywood-based Message was founded in 2012 by principal strategist Steve Caplan, a former GMMB partner and general manager of that political consulting firm’s Los Angeles office. Prior to joining GMMB, Caplan was executive vice president at entertainment industry trade group the Association of Independent Commercial Producers and a senior official in the administration of former Philadelphia Mayor (and later Governor) Edward G. Rendell.
Caplan assumes the newly-created title of chief strategy officer in light of the acquisition. He’ll be stationed in GS&A’s Los Angeles office.
“The political and communications worlds are undergoing huge transformations, and the stakes are higher than ever,” GS&A president and co-founder Andy Spahn told O’Dwyer’s. “This move allows us to fully leverage our skills and services so that we can deliver maximum impact for our clients.”
GS&A, which maintains a second office in Washington, D.C., specializes in government relations, issue advocacy, PR and strategic philanthropy.
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