News of Firms: ICR Launches Investor Access

Meaghan Montegari

ICR introduces Investor Access, a program that will work directly with management teams to help them identify, prioritize and prepare for meetings with investors. It will also collaborate with companies represented by sell-side firms or brokers to ensure optimal impact from all investor marketing efforts. Geared solely toward the needs of corporate clients, the program aims to facilitate meetings that best suit their long-term goals and objectives. ICR Investor Access is led by Meaghan Montegari, who has nearly two decades of equity sales and corporate access experience at firms including Wells Fargo, Citi, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch and Scotia Capital. "We look at investor marketing through the lens of management and prioritize company goals, while applying a strategic perspective that leverages proprietary insights and historical data points to facilitate productive relationships that drive long-term value for issuers," said Montegari.

PAN Communications launches PAN P.R.E.P. (Public Relations Experience Program), which creates opportunities for undergraduate senior students pursuing a bachelor's degree in Communications or Journalism at HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). Participants receive hands-on work experience in an agency setting. The program is an expansion of PAN's existing PAN Portal Program, which advises students on how to present their experience in the public relations job market. Each participating student is partnered with a PAN account team member who serves as a dedicated career coach and peer mentor through the 12-week paid internship, which runs through December 2. "Thinking critically about where we can be a value-add externally is a key objective," said PAN vice president and head of DEI Brandon Thomas. "We hope this fellowship program will serve as one key example of our larger DEI commitment.

Barkley acquired Smiths Agency, an independent marketing company based in Pittsburgh that works with food and beverage brands. Smiths will transition to the Barkley brand to become part of one agency, and Smiths co-chief Creative Officers Lindsey Smith and Bronson Smith will join the agency as well. Smiths has 45 employees with a client roster that includes Premier Protein, NatureSweet Tomatoes, Spangler Candy, Amy's Kitchen and Eggland's Best. "Our modern consumer focus combined with Smiths category expertise will combine to benefit current and future clients," said Barkley CEO Jeff King.