Acceleration Community of Companies (ACC) announced the acquisition of a majority stake in DKC, the iconic communications and marketing firm and one of the top 10 independent PR agencies in the U.S. Concurrent with the transaction, ACC and its majority shareholder Solace Capital, have also brought on New York-based growth equity firm, Verance Capital, as a strategic investor to support ACC’s next phase of growth.
DKC was founded in New York City in 1991 by renowned public relations executive Dan Klores, who grew the firm into an industry powerhouse while becoming a philanthropist, an award-winning filmmaker and playwright, and the founder of the Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School in the Bronx.
With the addition of DKC, ACC will grow its capabilities and global client base, further advancing its best-in-class, omnichannel, 360-degree services in marketing, media, and communications. ACC will now have 550 employees across 12 offices throughout the country.
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“This is a major milestone in our journey to become a leader in paid, earned, shared, owned communications and marketing solutions,” said ACC Chief Executive Officer and Founder Michael Nyman. “The new age of earned media and dynamic public relations impacts every aspect of marketing. DKC’s expertise across traditional and social media, digital content, data analytics, and more, is a crucial component in realizing our vision of a true full-service marketing and communications platform. DKC is a storied and accomplished firm that represents some of the most exciting and well-known brands in the world.”
“By joining the ACC community, we will be able to increase the value we offer clients by providing access to a broader range of marketing and communications capabilities,” said DKC CEO Sean Cassidy. “20 years ago, I had the honor of being appointed to lead this company by our founder, Dan Klores, and during my tenure at DKC, the influence, delivery, and impact of strategic communications has exponentially grown amid a dramatically changing media landscape. Brands and individuals expect their communications partners to tell their stories to ever-evolving target audiences across a full range of platforms 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Michael and ACC are building an extraordinary, impactful modern business that is ideally positioned in this dynamic environment.”
DKC works with global brands including BMW, Etsy, Resy, Thumbtack, Indeed, Clear, the Big East Conference, Delta Air Lines, the National Basketball Association, Match Group, Citi, NYU Langone Health, and other top brands across technology, entertainment – including some of the world’s highest-grossing and most critically acclaimed artists – media, lifestyle, sports, healthcare and many more. In addition to public relations, crisis communications, and public affairs, DKC, through its HangarFour division, provides creative services including content creation, social media strategy, design services, influencer relations, and brand activations. DKC also provides polling, audience modeling, message testing, and paid media through its DKC Analytics division.
Verance Capital’s strategic growth investment will accelerate ACC’s expansion strategy, enhance its services, and provide further resources to support its clients.
Lyle Ayes, CEO and Founder of Verance Capital added, “ACC, under the leadership of Michael Nyman, has experienced impressive growth both organically and through targeted strategic acquisitions. We are thrilled to partner with Michael and the senior management team at ACC to continue building a dynamic, collaborative, and cross-functional marketing network. The acquisition of DKC adds tremendous strength to that platform and well-positions the combined company for further success across a wide range of industries, especially sports, media, and entertainment.”
Christopher Brothers, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Solace stated, “We are thrilled to support the continued growth of ACC and its market-leading platform. DKC has established itself as a premier, full-service strategic communications firm by providing some of the world’s leading brands, artists, and events with impeccable execution, pressure-tested advisory, and media relations services. We also welcome Verance Capital as a strategic investor and look forward to ACC unleashing the full power of its platform to reach even greater heights.”
DKC represents the sixth acquisition for ACC, which also built Advisory, its bespoke marketing consultancy group. The agency last year acquired Trailblaze, a marketing communications firm that specializes in putting emerging brands in regulated industries on the map, and performance-minded influencer marketing agency Pixly in 2022.
Those acquisitions joined MKG, a creative agency specializing in brand experiences; design, fabrication, and 3-D printing shop Pink Sparrow; and Stripe Theory, a data marketing analytics and reputation management agency.
Michelman & Robinson, LLP served as legal counsel to ACC, and MC Credit Partners provided debt financing to ACC to support the transaction.
Loeb & Loeb, LLP served as legal counsel, GP Bullhound served as financial advisor to DKC, and Bruce Madnick also served as special advisor to DKC.
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP served as legal counsel to Verance Capital.
SOURCE: PRNewsWire