NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Financial services firms and investor relations professionals are facing increasing communications challenges. The proliferation of new communications platforms, evolving regulations and shifting stakeholder demands have created risks, challenges and opportunities.

To help financial services companies navigate this new world of communications, Peppercomm Strategic Communications has acquired Walek & Associates, a leading independent financial, capital markets and investor relations firm. The strategic acquisition strengthens Peppercomm’s leadership position in the financial services sector. The move combines Peppercomm’s full suite of integrated marketing and communications offerings, including creative design, digital, social media, experiential and strategic licensing with Walek’s concentrated expertise in asset management, capital markets and investor relations.

The announcement comes on the heels of Peppercomm’s recent acquisition of Janine Gordon & Associates and the formation of JGAPeppercomm, a specialty group focused on the consumer, lifestyle and non-profit sectors. Together, these two acquisitions are part of Peppercomm’s move to deepen the firm’s expertise in key areas to drive client success and business growth.

“As financial services companies and investor relations professionals grapple with the changing communications landscape, more than ever they need a partner with deep sector expertise who also understands and can execute across a multitude of communications channels,” said Edward Moed, co-founder and managing partner of Peppercomm. “In addition to adding an investor relations capability, WalekPeppercomm combines specific industry knowledge with a broad range of communications capabilities and a unique approach of listening to our clients’ audience first, last and always.”

The firms’ combined client experience includes such well-known firms as EY (formerly Ernst & Young), Genworth Financial, the Financial Accounting Foundation, Provident Bank and Sterling National Bank, GFI Group, First Eagle Investment Management, New York Community Bank and CLSA.

“WalekPeppercomm will help clients understand the new landscape, meet the challenges of a fast-changing market, and prosper in this new environment,” said Thomas Walek, president of WalekPeppercomm. “We are excited to be part of a firm with such a broad array of capabilities and strong geographic footprint in the US and internationally. It is a terrific move for us and our clients.”

As a specialized group within Peppercomm, the new WalekPeppercomm offers financial services firms an unmatched breadth of services for communicating with media, investors, analysts, shareholders, third-party sales and distribution groups, counterparties, regulators and other key constituents. The new organization sets itself apart in a crowded marketplace by helping clients master three strategic steps:

1. Listen to their key audiences and define the problems that keep their stakeholders awake at night.
2. Engage with these audiences, distributing messages that ring true to their business needs via the communications platforms that they trust most.
3. Repeat this process, measuring the outcome of communications efforts in order to constantly improve the approach at every step.

WalekPeppercomm is founded on a client-centric model focused on helping financial services firms understand their new landscape, build internal support and balance communications and compliances needs.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. StevensGouldPincus, mergers and acquisitions consultant, acted as an advisor.

About Peppercomm

Peppercomm, Inc., an award-winning strategic, integrated communications and marketing firm headquartered in New York City with offices in San Francisco and London, prides itself on listening first, last and always. The firm’s tagline: “Listen. Engage. Repeat.” emphasizes the unique approach Peppercomm takes in understanding exactly how a client can engage in authentic conversations with its audience. Peppercomm was ranked No. 1 in Crain’s New York Business Best Places to Work 2012, is currently ranked number 30 on a national industry list by PR Week, and was a finalist for the 2012 PR Week Midsize Agency of the Year. More information about the agency may be found at its new website www.peppercomm.com.

About Walek & Associates

Walek & Associates is a leading independent financial and corporate public relations boutique. Founded in 1998, with offices in New York and Boulder, Walek specializes in public relations and investor relations in capital markets, asset management, hedge funds, real estate, private equity, professional and financial services, media, information and financial technology, and public companies in all sectors. From building visibility and brand to financial PR, transactions, product and service launches, and crisis management, Walek delivers results that help clients build business. For more information visit www.walek.com

SOURCE Peppercomm