Social Media Group has signed an agreement to purchase Livingston Communications, a Washington D.C. firm with expertise in social media-based public relations.
According to Maggie Fox, CEO of SMG in Dundas, Ont., her company’s 14 staff members will be united with Livingston Communications’ six-person unit, although the latter group will remain in Washington.
Geoff Livingston, CEO of Livingston Communications, will run the new American base as executive vice-president, Americas for SMG.
Fox said the purchase agreement came together quickly after she and Livingston discussed the matter in June at BlogPotomac, an event operated by Livingston Communications.
“Geoff is an extremely well-respected thought leader in the social media space. He’s got a thriving social media PR practice and a really solid team, so it was a great fit overall,” said Fox. “This is about bandwidth as well. There’s great demand and we realize that by joining forces we can do far more damage and help far more companies than we could individually.”
Livingston’s Washington location also leaves SMG well-positioned to attract business from the political and public service sectors in the U.S.
“There’s going to be a lot of opportunity in the coming year with a new government coming in,” said Fox.
The acquisition also brings Livingston Communications’ customers, including Network Solutions, into SMG’s client stable. Among SMG’s existing clients are Ford Motor Company of Canada, Harlequin Publishing and Yamaha.
SMG, which only launched in July 2006 and now also has an office in Calgary, signed a letter of intent to purchase Livingston Communications earlier this month. The deal is scheduled to be completed in August.
