Black Country PR firm Connect has acquired a rival practice which once ran one of the largest agencies in Birmingham.
Wolverhampton-based Connect has bought the entire share capital of Shrewsbury outfit Seal Communications for an undisclosed sum as part of a long-term growth and investment programme.
Seal was owned by the Morris family, well known in the Shropshire town through its property activity, who ran the large agency in Birmingham city centre in addition to bases in London and Shrewsbury.
In spring 2013, it decided to shut its office next to The Mailbox and transfer clients and most of its staff to Shrewsbury.
Seal chief executive Katie Morris has left her role to become director of marketing to concentrate on the Morris group whose work includes residential and commercial property, care and site machinery.
The Seal name is being retained and the ten-strong team and key clients will transfer to Wolverhampton.
Ms Morris said: "Connect has always been up there as an agency I admire and joining forces feels right as the next step in Seal's evolution.
"These past few years in particular have seen Seal flourish with our performance over the last financial year being our best for over five years.
"In such good shape, the time seemed right to make this strategic move.
"I am incredibly proud of what Seal has achieved and our enviable and loyal clients and the talented team who I know will continue to thrive as part of the Connect family."
Connect PR was founded by joint owners Rob Hampton and Hazel Crawford in 1999 and employs 20 people.
The agency has billings of more than £1.5 million per year and represents clients including Persimmon Homes, Volkswagen, MAN Truck & Bus and Autoglym.
Mr Hampton said: "The purchase of Seal is an ideal fit for both Connect PR and the wider Connect Group.
"We have ambitious plans for Connect PR and won't rule out further acquisitions as we look to capitalise on the skills of the excellent team we've established within the business."
Ed Thompson from Lancaster Haskins provided financial advice to Connect and Richard Griffiths from Higgs & Sons led the legal team.
