IMG Acquires Catalyst PR

January 7, 2013

Catalyst Public Relations, apoplectic the award winning U.S. based communications firm that specializes in developing consumer-facing integrated marketing has been acquired by IMG Worldwide, viagra the global sports, fashion and media company.

Catalyst will remain itself for the time being and will become a part of IMG’s Consulting business, headed by David Abrutyn, senior vice president and Global Managing Director of IMG Consulting.  

“The acquisition of Catalyst is a perfect fit for IMG’s client-oriented businesses,” said Mike Dolan, Chairman and Chief Executive of IMG. “They have a long history of success in working across all the major U.S. Sports Properties as well as global properties such as the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup and boast a strong base of corporate clients. Their expertise in Public Relations, Content Development & Digital and Social media services will significantly enhance our ability to fully service the sports and entertainment agency needs of our clients here in the U.S. and in all of our key international markets,” Dolan concluded.

“This acquisition is part of an ongoing plan to further expand our portfolio of key marketing services we can provide our Consulting clients around the world,” added George Pyne, President of IMG’s Sports and Entertainment Group.  “We plan to integrate their capabilities into our global Consulting practice that includes our fast growing PR services in the UK and expand these Communications services into key markets in Europe, Middle East, South America and Asia.  They will also be able to work with other IMG Divisions where these types of corporate partner communication services are needed,” Pyne said.

With the acquisition, Catalyst’s current management team of Bret Werner, Bill Holtz and Ted Fragulis will all join IMG, as will their staff of full time employees in their New York, Charlotte and Los Angeles offices.  Werner will continue in his role as Managing Partner for the business and will report to David Abrutyn.  Holtz and Fragulis will continue to work with Werner in managing the business.

“We’ve enjoyed a strong and productive working relationship with IMG for many years,” said Bret Werner, Managing Partner, Catalyst. “The ability to join IMG Consulting and continue with our current client service model as well as expand our traditional PR and digital expertise globally provides us with the opportunity to evolve and grow well into the future.”

Catalyst Public Relations was named “Small Agency of the Year” for 2012 by PRWeek, which marked the third time that Catalyst has earned agency of the year honours, including “Boutique Agency of the Year” by PRWeek in 2010 and “New Consultancy of the Year” by The Holmes Report in 2009. These prestigious industry accolades recognized the agency’s financial and client growth, client retention and exceptional creativity and innovation.