COLUMBIA, S.C., March 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Chernoff Newman, a leading integrated marketing communications agency in the Southeast U.S., is expanding into North Carolina through a merger with Carolina Public Relations, one of Charlotte’s best-known public relations and marketing firms.

Headquartered in Columbia, Chernoff Newman has existing offices in Charleston and Orlando, Florida.

Carolina PR’s longtime principals, Adam Bernstein, APR, and Louise Dixon, APR, will become part of the ownership group of the combined firm. Sig Huitt, APR, a founding partner, will continue as a senior counselor. Chernoff Newman Vice President and Chief Brand Strategist Tye Price and Creative Director Heather Price will also become part of the ownership group.

Chernoff Newman was formed in 1971 and has deep category experience in health care, energy, food and beverage, education and workforce development, retail, financial/insurance and issue management. With a culture steeped in innovation and delivering measurable results, the agency provides integrated services to create meaningful consumer connections, including branding, marketing strategy, digital experiences, media, public relations, creative and social media. By working together across all disciplines, we discover, create, connect and inspire.

Carolina PR was founded in 1983 and offers strategic public relations and communications counsel and support services, specialized services in news media relations, social media, crisis communications, marketing communications, corporate communications, employee communications and community relations. The firm has clients in the corporate, non-profit and public sectors across the Carolinas and beyond.

Chernoff Newman’s President and Chief Operating Officer David Campbell said the merger is a major advance in the agency’s strategic growth plan.

“This gives us an established presence in the Carolinas’ largest market and one of the fastest growing regions in the country,” Campbell said.

“Joining Chernoff Newman expands the breadth and depth of strategic communication counsel and creative services that we can deliver,” Bernstein said. “Together, Carolina PR and Chernoff Newman are stronger, deeper and smarter.”

Campbell said the agencies’ similar client service strategy cemented the agreement.

“Our success is built on combining creativity with business know-how to help our clients create meaningful connections with their target audiences,” Campbell said. “This merger expands our team of communicators who are client-focused, forward-thinking and results-driven.”

For more information, visit www.chernoffnewman.com and www.carolinapr.com.

SOURCE Chernoff Newman