The Glover Park Group, one of Washington?s fastest-growing firms specializing in strategic communications and government relations, announced Tuesday that it has been bought by London-based WPP, the world?s largest communications-services company.
Glover Park was started in 2001 by four political refugees ? well-connected Democrats suddenly disconnected after the disputed election of President George W. Bush. The firm, now with a bipartisan leadership team, has grown to 140, with offices in Washington, New York, Los Angeles and Boulder, Colo.
Continue ReadingGPG has $60 million in annual revenue, putting it among the nation?s largest independent communications companies. The firm will keep its identity and operate as a stand-alone company within WPP. Specific terms were not disclosed.
GPG said that, as is typical for deals of this kind, ?the founding partners have contractually agreed to remain with the firm for the foreseeable future.?
The four founding partners are Carter Eskew, Joe Lockhart, Mike Feldman and Chip Smith. Lockhart was hired in June as Facebook?s vice president of corporate communications.
Eskew said in a statement: ?I?m fiercely proud of what we have built over the last 10 years and the impact we?ve had on the industry. But I?m even more excited about what lies ahead. WPP is an ideal partner for the next chapter in the GPG story.?
WPP is a monster, with 153,000 people working in 2,400 offices in 107 countries. Holdings include Burson-Marsteller, JWT, Hill & Knowlton, Ogilvy Group and Young & Rubicam.
The transaction marks a notable consolidation among Washington?s top-grossing and best-wired communications firms. Prominent WPP holdings in Washington include Blue State Digital, Dewey Square Group, Public Strategies Inc. and Quinn-Gillespie & Associates.
GPG staffers will celebrate the sale later this week at the company?s second annual trip to New Orleans, where they will work with the St. Bernard?s Project to rebuild homes for families affected by Hurricane Katrina.
GPG says its expertise includes ?strategic communications for complex business events such as mergers and acquisitions, executive transitions, and high-stakes negotiations. In addition, the firm has significantly deepened its bench of experts in brand positioning and corporate reputation management. ? GPG is stocked with professionals from the advertising, marketing and digital spheres as well as veterans from politics and government, including the Leadership in the House and Senate as well as the Obama, Bush and Clinton Administrations.?
Here is a Glover Park Group timeline:
2001: GPG founded by Carter Eskew, Mike Feldman, Joe Lockhart and Chip Smith in nondescript offices on Wisconsin Avenue in Glover Park.
2002: Amy Phee (Procter & Gamble Market Research) joins the firm to build the public opinion research and marketing capabilities.
2003: Howard Wolfson opens GPG?s New York office.
2004: GPG moves to bigger offices on Water Street in Georgetown.
2005: Joel Johnson and his team join GPG to start the government affairs practice.
2006: Private Equity Firm Svoboda Collins makes major investment in GPG.
2009: GPG moves into its current offices, on F Street, N.W., in Penn Quarter.
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