Partners at Washington-based Stratacomm have bought the firm back from FleishmanHillard, which acquired the transportation PR specialist in 2004.
Bill Buff, co-managing partner at Stratacomm, said the firm is now independent and operated by a partnership group. “This restructuring will allow us to invest in new talent and strategies both to benefit our clients and grow the firm," he said.
The firm, which has counseled all of the major US automakers, worked on Daimler's "Smart Car" in the US and counts recent business wins as Norfolk Southern and Nissan North America.
Buff is joined in the top ranks by co-managing partner John Fitzpatrick, senior partners Ron DeFore (a co-founder) and Travis Austin, and partners Kristin Calandro Tyll, Sharon Hegart, Charlotte Seigler and John Undeland.
Fitzpatrick told O'Dwyer's FH has been a valued partner and remains a passive, minority shareholder.
Stratacomm, founded in 1995, also has a Detroit presence in Southfield, Mich.
DeFore's fellow co-founders Diane Steed and Jeff Conley are senior advisors.
Makovsky & Co. officially ended its operations on June 30 after a 47-year run as an independent New York-based firm.
Adfero, the DC-based public affairs shop that served the healthcare, technology and energy sectors, closed its doors on June 30.
4media group completes its acquisition of Family Features Editorial Syndicate... Illumination PR, which represents lifestyle brands, influencers and celebrities, launches DR Media Group... EAG Advertising and Marketing acquires pay-for-performance firm INK inc. Public Relations. 
LLYC launches Signs of Pride, a campaign that revives the original protest banners of the first Pride marches... The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry forms the Public Relations and Digital Marketing Working Group... Circle of One Marketing, a Miami-based, minority-owned marketing agency, is named official agency of record for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami. 
Vogel Group, a DC-headquartered government affairs and consulting firm, forms a strategic partnership with Montreal-based public affairs firm Boléro Stratégies... Matter Communications launches project-based offerings for B2C companies looking to increase brand awareness and visibility... Tucker/Hall, a Tampa-based PR and public affairs firm, opens a new office in Orlando. 
