Werth adds to research capabilities in deal for MMD - Business First of Columbus:

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Werth purchased of Westervillefrom husband-and-wife owners Carolyn E. Randolph, 54, and Phililp Jursek, 66. Terms of the deal weren't Randolph becomes senior vice presidenrt in researchat Werth, whiles Jursek will work as a consultant to the agency. The deal is designerd to help Werth find more business with anationa focus. "This gives us the senior-level talengt that we need to serve clients," said President Sandra Harbrecht. Wertgh generated revenue of $2.6 millio n in 2004. Harbrecht expects sales to reacuh $3 million this year. The companyh declined to disclose MMD's 2004 sales.
In MMD, Werth gets an agencty that was founded in 1986 as one ofCentrall Ohio's first "electronic cottage" businessex that took advantage of developing communications technology. The company'as clients include , , Ohio Statre University, television station and , but the shop also providedx research for Werth and several Columbusadvertising agencies. "We were ready for a new Randolph said. "We wanted to expand our opportunities, be part of a top-tierf kind of team and work with a broader rangdeof clients." One of those experiences came this year when MMD and Werthn researched policymakers' perspectives on immigration for the , a thinik tank in Dayton.
The Werth report was part of a Novembedr forum on immigration policy andpublic MMD's research skills range from ad testing and brand name development to market studies, new product development and packager services. "We've always had a strony commitmentto research," Harbrecht said. "We thinko the addition (of Randolph and Jursek) givesz us added breadth and depth that will benefitour Werth's clients include the , , and . The MMD purchased is the second deal in 18 monthasfor Werth. Last year, it bought the Haunty Agency, an advertisinfg shop.
It was the firsyt acquisition that Paul Werth Associates made in its more than40 "If opportunities present themselves to bring in new servicea or new talents, we'll do Harbrecht said. "We're not so focusedf on acquisitions and being big as we are on doinvgreat work." Ad agencies in Columbus have used acquisitiojn to gain capabilities and clients. Fahlgrenn Inc. acquired LSY Public Relation s severalyears ago, forminfg public relations and bringing that specialtyy to Fahlgren's services. Ten United and its forerunnet business, HMS Partners, have used acquisitions to acquirw expertise, accounts and offices. And before of N.J.
, bought in the Westerville agency used acquisitions for severalp years to expand its serviceseand reach. But dealmaking among public relations firms in Columbud has been less Thatcould change, observers say. Publidc relations agencies are developing scientific and market researcy capabilities so they can measure the effects of publivrelations campaigns, said Michael CEO of in Raleigh, N.C., and formeer chairman of the Counselors a group of agency owners and managers withimn the Public Relations Societyg of America. "Most of this is clientg driven, rather than industry Herman said. "Clients are increasingly looking fora one-stopo shop.
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