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Beckerman Public Relations Acquires Avalanche Strategic Communications

Posted on: Monday, 29 June 2009, 13:36 CDT

Merged PR Firm Will be One of Largest in New York Metropolitan Area

BEDMINSTER, N.J., June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Beckerman Public Relations, one of New Jersey's largest and most renowned public relations firms, has announced that it has acquired Avalanche Strategic Communications, a full-service public relations firm based in Hackensack, N.J.

Michael Beckerman, founder of Beckerman Public Relations, will assume the role of chief executive officer of the new organization, while Keith Zakheim, president and chief executive officer at Avalanche, will assume the role of president. Don McIver, chief operating officer at Beckerman, will retain that role in the new organization.

The merged firm, which will operate under the name of Beckerman Public Relations, will be one of the largest public relations firms in the New York metropolitan area, employing approximately 35 public relations professionals, and will be the largest independent firm in New Jersey, with billings of more than $6 million.

With the acquisition of Avalanche, Beckerman will benefit from the new breadth and range of industries served while remaining dedicated to its traditional client base in the real estate, legal and financial sectors.

"Many companies, and in particular professional services firms, see the current economic downturn as a reason to aggressively cut back, but we see this as a terrific time to invest in increasing our market share," Michael Beckerman said. "By acquiring Avalanche, we are expanding our capabilities while positioning ourselves as a dominant, results-oriented public relations firm for the future, one that can compete for a myriad of business opportunities. This deal is not about us getting bigger, it's about us getting better."

The merged firm will also be able to offer its services at retainers that are highly competitive, especially by comparison with the New York public relations firms: "We will have more aggressive people, more cutting-edge ideas and better pricing than many firms," Beckerman said.

Avalanche is one of the nation's fastest-growing public relations firms, having grown tenfold since its founding just four years ago. The firm's roster includes clients in the renewable energy, technology, health care and consumer products sectors. In addition, the firm has built a highly successful niche handling public affairs, issue advocacy and corporate political reputation issues for foreign governments and multinational corporations.

Zakheim said he was attracted by Beckerman Public Relations' outstanding brand and reputation, which, he said, provide a strong foundation for future growth, as well as by the synergies between the firms.

"Beckerman and Avalanche have diverse profiles and backgrounds, but they are very complementary, with each bringing different skill sets to the table," Zakheim said. "The real beneficiaries of this acquisition will be the clients, who will profit from the strengthening and deepening of the new organization's platform. I am very excited to be leading the next chapter for what are already two impressive companies and creating a dynamic new model for our current and future clients."

A particular asset is Avalanche's expertise in social networking and digital media, which will allow Beckerman to expand traditional media approaches into new media outlets. In addition to supplementing traditional approaches with digital media, Avalanche has used digital media exclusively in some of its public relations campaigns.

"The nature of the media is rapidly evolving," Beckerman said. "In Avalanche, we found a fast-growing, dynamic firm on the cutting edge of the digital media. Their techniques and strategies, with which they have built a great reputation serving a diverse client base, will give us an expanded ability to tap into social networking and digital media outlets."

The firms share a common corporate outlook, which includes a strong entrepreneurial spirit as well as a commitment to client service and to the highest standards of quality and integrity. Both teams pride themselves on their results-oriented culture.

Beckerman added that the firm expects to be making similar acquisitions and joint venture announcements in the near future.

About Beckerman Public Relations

Beckerman Public Relations is one of New Jersey's largest full-service public relations firms. Founded in 1990, Beckerman Public Relations' staff of 35 experienced media professionals represents a distinguished roster of nearly 100 clients from diverse industry sectors including real estate, environmental, financial, health care, technology, consumer products, public affairs and corporate political reputation. To learn more please call (908) 781-6420 or visit www.beckermanpr.com.

SOURCE Beckerman Public Relations

Source: PR Newswire

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