Michael Brunner, CEO of Pittsburgh-based announced that his agency has assumed the clients and staff of D.C.-based marketing services firm AXIS after the firm’s founder and CEO, Karen Work, decided to relocate to Arizona.
Founded in 1991, AXIS amassed a client roster through the years, including leading brands such as Time Warner Cable Business Class, NASDAQ, Sodexo, Kaiser Permanente, Intelsat General and Unisys. “Combining our agencies under the Brunner banner adds to the critical mass of our D.C. office and strengthens core services, such as strategy, creative, and account management,” said Brunner. “Brunner clients benefit from added bench strength in key areas, while AXIS clients benefit from an expanded service offering that includes research, digital, public relations, one-to-one and consumer promotional services.”
AXIS President Peter Roth assumes the position of Brunner vice president and managing director of the D.C. office, reporting to Brunner President Scott Morgan. Shaun Quigley remains as vice president and interactive practice director, and Ernie Mosteller remains as creative director.
Work plans to stay on for the first 60 days to help with the transition. The move more than doubles the current Brunner staff based in that office. “Knowing that AXIS clients and staff are in such great hands was the driving force making this transition possible,” said Work. “This move makes a vastly expanded offering of digital marketing and advertising services an immediate reality to clients, which would have been nearly impossible otherwise. The DC office, under the direction of Peter Roth, is excited by the synergies that this combined team brings to clients.”
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The satellite office AXIS operates in Pittsburgh is not part of the arrangement.
Brunner’s D.C.-based clients include American Bankers Association, American Academy of Physicians Assistants, National Association of Broadcasters, CIBT, Career College Association and American Society of Association Executives.
Brunner entered the D.C. market in 2003 with the acquisition of direct marketing firm MHI Communications. Today, Brunner’s D.C. office offers a full range of marketing services.