AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Phillips & Company, a global communications firm that helps clients create, defend and sustain leadership positions through public relations and market development, today announced that it has acquired Check 6 Consulting and Kennedy & Company, two Austin-based PR firms run by Lara Kennedy Hogan, a 20-year veteran in high-tech public relations and consulting who will be named a senior vice president at Phillips & Company.
The acquisitions are part of Phillips & Company’s answer to increased demand for its services and to create new business opportunities in select markets for media relations, including expanded capabilities in social and digital media. Clients of Check 6 and Kennedy & Company will continue to be managed by Hogan and will gain additional team resources through Phillips & Company.
Said Rich Phillips, president of Phillips & Company, “Lara has the experience, knowledge and skills that will enable us to grow and continue to serve our client’s needs as the role of the media and communications continues to evolve and change in an increasingly digital and mobile world. Bringing her team on board was an easy decision.”
Lara brings nearly two decades of communications, public relations, and public policy experience to Phillips & Company ranging from her position as press secretary in Washington, D.C. for two Members of Congress, her work in the private sector in both PR and marketing, and her role working with a registered lobbyist on issues before the Texas State Legislature in Austin, Texas.
This experience has enabled her to master the art of pitching to the mainstream media with numerous article placements and she has been recognized for her award winning congressional website design and content. More importantly, she has developed and maintained working relationships with members of both national and local media from print to major media networks.
“Joining Phillips & Company was a natural and easy decision to make,” said Hogan. “Aside from our mutual passion for public relations, we will be able to help our clients grow and lead in their respective markets by integrating market development and enhanced digital marketing services into their current strategies.”
As a member of the Check 6 team, Felicia Mae Rateliff will also join Phillips & Company as a manager focused on social media strategy, branding and digital design. She has been a professional graphic artist for more than 12 years. Her expertise in digital marketing, advertising, page layout and photo editing comes from years of creating artwork and working as an educator and marketing business owner before joining Check 6 Consulting.
Kennedy & Company and Felicia collaborated on event marketing and branding for The Black Tie & Boots 2013 Presidential Inaugural Ball, presented by the Texas State Society of Washington D.C.
“With the ever-changing dynamics of PR to meet on-demand access to content anytime, anywhere, on any digital device, an in-depth knowledge of how to create compelling campaigns that tie both the traditional PR approach with new media techniques is required," concluded Hogan. “Together, our talented team can achieve this objective and we are excited about the opportunities we will create for our clients this year and for years to come.”
Phillips & Company is currently seeking opportunities to partner with or acquire two more firms in either Texas or the Washington-Virginia-Maryland metro area.
O’Dwyer’s has ranked Phillips & Company among the Top 10 PR firms in Texas.
About Phillips & Company
Phillips & Company is a global communications firm that helps companies, government agencies and non-profits create, defend and sustain leadership positions through public relations and market development. With a focus on space technology, homeland security, mobile computing, telecommunications, healthcare, education and energy, Phillips & Company helps organizations focus on the opportunities and strategies that accelerate market victories. Ultimately, Phillips helps clients create demand for their products, services and ideas by broadening and reinforcing the trust customers, partners and investors have in their organization. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Phillips & Company has operations in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, London and Hong Kong. For more information, visit www.phillipscompany.com.
