Independent creative and technology marketing agency Schafer Condon Carter has acquired Chicago-based shop TimeZoneOne.
Richard McDonald |
Financial terms of the acquisition weren’t publicly disclosed.
Founded in 1993, TimeZoneOne specializes in destination marketing, media relations, social media strategy, issues management, events and influencer marketing. The Chicago-headquartered agency, which maintains additional offices in Christchurch, New Zealand and Toronto, counts the state of Illinois, the Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile Association and the Illinois Office of Tourism as clients.
TZO president and CEO Daniel Thomas will remain in his current role. The agency will continue operating independently and will not change its name or branding in light of the acquisition. No changes to staff or TZO’s physical offices were reported.
“SCC is on a journey to become a growth engine for our clients,” Schafer Condon Carter CEO Richard McDonald told O’Dwyer’s. “We will take the great big idea creativity from SCC and combine that with the data-driven digital approach of TZO to help our clients sell their products and services.”
Chicago-based SCC, which was founded in 1989, specializes in brand consulting, traditional media creative and production, integrated advertising, digital media planning, website design/development, SEO, social media, PR, events and package design. Clients include Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, The Chicago Cubs, Portillo’s Restaurants and The National Pork Board.

Richard McDonald
Matter launches its Review Visibility Management service to address a shift in how companies across verticals earn trust online... A Queens school is putting out the message about Sept. 12, 2001 when people came together to help, comfort, rebuild and unite... Directive expands its Directive Communications division, which will bring PR, organic social, influencer marketing and paid social together under one integrated organization.
Praytell expands its Influence Department—which unites media, creators and social under one team... LRJ PR & Communications and Canopy Brand Group form an alliance that the firms say will bridge the operational divide between high-end brand design and strategic public relations... Twin Minds Media, Hispanic market specialist, increases the scope of its services in an effort to help brands build deeper connections with audiences through culture, storytelling, media and experiences.
The People Platform, part of Stagwell's The Marketing Cloud, rebrands as Numetrix... Zapwater Communications has earned 17 finalist honors across two PR competitions: eight at the 68th Annual Golden Trumpet Awards, presented by the Publicity Club of Chicago, and nine at the 2026 PRSA Chicago Skyline Awards.. The Florida Public Relations Association presented 122 awards to individuals and teams from across the state at its 69th annual Golden Image and 3rd Annual Pinnacle Awards gala.
The Motion Agency acquires Vehr Communications, a Cincinnati-based strategic communications firm, effective Oct. 1... Lyceus Group, which specializes in financial services, is named a finalist for Public Relations Campaign at the 2026 ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Awards... IPSY, a curated beauty membership platform, launches IPSY Marketing Solutions, a full-funnel marketing and sales acceleration engine.
Fire on the Hill, which has offices in London, Manchester, New York and Paris, is providing pro bono communications support to the Intergenerational Foundation, the UK's leading authority on intergenerational fairness... The PRSA-NY Big Apple Awards Gala on Sept. 17 will have Gio Benitez, co-anchor of the weekend edition of “Good Morning America” and ABC News transportation correspondent, serving as emcee... CasePR, a boutique litigation communications firm, launches in Portland, OR.



