BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In response to recent growth and to support demand for a broader range of services, Sharon Merrill Associates, Inc. (www.InvestorRelations.com), a critical communications strategic advisory firm that is nationally recognized for its investor relations expertise, today announced the promotion of Dennis J. Walsh to the position of vice president and the addition of Andrew A. Blazier as a senior associate.
“We are expanding our team of professionals in line with the increase in demand we are experiencing for a range of critical communications services,” said Maureen Wolff, the firm’s president. “As the economy strengthens, companies are increasingly turning to us to help them develop and execute effective investor relations outreach programs. The resurgence of the IPO market also is creating significant opportunities for us to grow our national client base. At the same time, companies are recognizing our nearly 30 years of critical communications experience and are turning to Sharon Merrill to guide them on issues relating to shareholder activism, proxy contests and other crisis situations.
“Dennis’ promotion to vice president is a worthy reflection of his detailed attention to client service and dedication to the agency during the past eight years,” said Wolff. “Among his other accomplishments, Dennis has gained national recognition for his expertise in the use of social media for investor relations. We look forward to his continued contributions to our client companies and to the growth of the firm as part of our management team.
“We also are excited to welcome Andrew to our team, as he brings with him 13 years of experience developing and directing investor relations and communications programs for IPOs and established public companies in a number of industries,” Wolff continued. “We are pleased to have him aboard to help support the recent addition of several new companies to our client roster.”
In addition to his client service responsibilities and new management role as vice president, Dennis will continue to lead Socialize IR, Sharon Merrill’s social media for investor relations consulting practice, as Director of Social Media. Dennis represents clients that span a wide range of industries including aerospace, energy, environmental, industrial, retail, life sciences, military and technology. He currently serves as a director for the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI)’s Boston chapter. Prior to beginning at Sharon Merrill in 2005, Dennis was an analyst at Thomson First Call. He earned a B.A. degree in Economics from Saint Anselm College.
Andrew will be actively involved in client service and account management. He has developed and executed both targeted and comprehensive investor relations programs for small-cap and mid-cap companies. Andrew has represented clients in a variety of industries, including alternative energy, consumer, business services, defense, financial services, REITs, manufacturing, oil and gas and technology. Prior to joining Sharon Merrill, Andrew served five years in a similar capacity for two Los Angeles-based IR agencies. He previously was a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch. He began his career as a financial journalist for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group in Southern California. Andrew received a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Oregon and an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University.
About Sharon Merrill
Established in 1985, Sharon Merrill Associates, Inc. assists corporate clients across the U.S. and internationally in planning and executing critical communications that resonate with stakeholders and deliver desired results in virtually any situation an enterprise may confront. The firm serves private and public companies primarily in the life sciences, technology and industrial sectors. Practice areas include investor relations, crisis communications, transaction communications, reputation and issues management, and presentation and media training. The Sharon Merrill team has earned wide recognition for corporate communications thought leadership, as well as dozens of industry awards. To learn more about Sharon Merrill, please visit the company’s website at www.InvestorRelations.com, or its thought leadership blog at http://blog.investorrelations.com/.
