French/West/Vaughan, a Raleigh-based independently-held PR, advertising and digital marketing agencies, announced that it will be acquiring a 50% interest in AMP3 PR (AMP3), a fast-growing fashion, beauty, luxury and lifestyle PR firm founded and based in New York City.
AMP3 PR and its staff will combine with existing FWV staff in NYC effective January 1, 2019 and the combined team will move to new offices at 210 West 29th Street and operate collectively in the New York market as AMP3 PR under the direction of AMP3 PR co-founders Dion and Alyson Roy, according to FWV Chairman & CEO Rick French.
FWV Executive Vice President & Principal Natalie Best will serve as the FWV executive assigned to work with the AMP3 PR brand to integrate it within the FWV portfolio of agencies, which include FWV Fetching; RGAA PR, its Hispanic marketing offering; and Prix Productions, the company’s longform content feature and documentary film division.
AMP3 PR is the Bespoke Communications Awards 2018 “Agency of the Year,” awarded by PR Couture, which recognizes the top agencies and campaigns focused on higher-end fashion PR. It ranks ninth in O’Dwyer’s listing of the largest fashion and beauty focused PR firms. FWV ranks second in the same rankings.
FWV is a 15-time National Agency of the Year recipient, with 113 associates and nearly $30M in annual fee billings with offices in Raleigh (HQ), NYC, Tampa and L.A.
The Stevens Group and its principals Art Stevens and Rich Jachetti introduced the parties and assisted in the negotiations.
“I am incredibly impressed by the niche Alyson and Dion have carved out for AMP3 in the lifestyle marketing space and the firm’s ability to attract high-profile clients,” said French. “What FWV will be able to provide their agency is a suite of back-end services as well as a deeper bench of account planning, paid media, digital, influencer marketing and creative talent to help further accelerate their growth.”
“From a start-up company to where we are today, building AMP3 has been the most incredible journey,” said Alyson Roy, “We are so excited to be able to give our employees the opportunity to grow, and to offer even more resources and expanded relationships to our clientele.”
“We’ve consistently seen year-over-year growth,” added Dion Roy. “In 2018, we’re on track for a 30% revenue increase, so we were looking for the right partner to help us handle that demand, and we are thrilled to partner with FWV to deliver a fully integrated suite of marketing services going forward.”
