The Shipyard will acquire Fahlgren Mortine, a top integrated communications agency and the reigning midsized agency of the year as designated by the Public Relations Society of America. This news comes months after The Shipyard received a significant investment for expansion and after being named one of Adweek’s Fastest Growing Agencies.
While Fahlgren Mortine is known for its public relations and communications services, the company recently integrated two companies to focus on technology, development design and customer experience.
“Brand success comes from orchestrating creative across all paid, owned, earned and emerging media,” said The Shipyard founder and CEO Rick Milenthal in a statement. “Fahlgren Mortine is recognized as a leader in the industry. We are aligned with shared values, combined resources and a galvanizing mission of ‘Engineering Brand Love’ wherever audiences consume media.”
The Shipyard will maintain the Fahlgren Mortine brand, and the combined company will now boast expanded media buying volume, creative firepower and data and analytics resources.
The company now will have nearly 400 professionals in numerous offices throughout the country with both B2C and B2B industry expertise in tourism and economic development, financial services, consumer products, energy, retail, building products, logistics, technology and healthcare. The companies already share clients in addition to both being headquartered in Columbus.
Fahlgren Mortine leadership remains in place with CEO Neil Mortine, and Marty McDonald, who was named president in 2022. Mortine will also be named vice chairman for The Shipyard and Christine Turner will continue as president of Turner, a subsidiary brand of Fahlgren Mortine since 2014 that focuses on integrated communications for travel, tourism and active lifestyle brands with offices in New York City, Denver and Chicago.
“From the complementary nature of our services to the timing of this partnership, we are certain this is the right next move for Fahlgren Mortine. With a shared love for our community, bold national vision, and a commitment to keeping our people at the center of our work, we know the future is bright,” said Mortine in a statement.
Fahlgren Mortine is currently owned by Eastport Holdings, a leading communications network, which acquired the firm in 2018. The transaction with The Shipyard is expected to close at the end of April.