Chicago-based independent communications agency Motion Agency has acquired Cincinnati-based integrated marketing and PR firm Vehr Communications, strengthening its presence in the US Midwest.The acquisition will take effect on October 1. Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.Following the deal, Motion will have nearly 90 employees across three US offices in Cincinnati, Chicago and Nashville.Vehr founder and CEO Nick Vehr will join Motion as Executive Vice President. In his new role, he will focus on business development and driving growth for the combined agency.Expanding in CincinnatiThe acquisition builds on Motion's existing presence in Cincinnati. The agency entered the market in 2023, when it acquired Rick Miller Communications.Motion is now also looking to appoint its first Creative Director based in Cincinnati, indicating plans to further develop its local capabilities.Founded in 2006, Vehr Communications provides integrated marketing and public relations services to businesses and nonprofit organisations. The agency has also been part of the IPREX communications network since 2018.Motion Agency was established in the same year and provides integrated communications services across sectors including consumer, healthcare, nonprofit, manufacturing and B2B.The agency is also a certified woman-owned business.The acquisition gives Motion an expanded platform in Cincinnati while adding Vehr's client relationships, communications expertise and local market presence to its wider US operation.With the integration of the two businesses, Motion is positioned to broaden its capabilities and scale its independent agency model across the Midwest and other key US markets.

UK financial services firm Buchanan Communications is joining Burson, expanding the number of brands under the new agency?ÇÖs umbrella.Buchanan becomes part of Burson immediately. The agency, which WPP acquired in 1997, provides private and public companies services including capital market advisory on transactions including M&A, and crisis and change management.Buchanan also provides a comprehensive sustainability offering, including sustainability reporting and communications, along with creative services, including brand, website design, financial marketing collateral design, and digital content. The Buchanan team serves clients across consumer, leisure and gaming; energy and renewables; financial services; industrials and infrastructure; investment companies; life sciences and healthcare; mining and metals; professional services; and technology, media and telecommunications.  Buchanan will operate as a brand within Burson along with Hill & Knowlton, GCI Health and AxiCom. The integration of Buchanan comes ahead of BCW?ÇÖs July 1 merger with sister WPP agency Hill & Knowlton into a single entity called Burson. The merger will create a $1bn PR firm that could arguably be the industry's biggest player.?Ç£Building reputation to grow brand and business value requires engagement across the full range of stakeholder audiences, including capital markets,?Ç¥ said BCW global CEO Corey duBrowa, who will be Burson?ÇÖs global CEO Burson when the merger is completed. ?Ç£Beyond strengthening financial confidence or ?Çÿinvestability?ÇÖ in an organization, managing relationships with investor audiences is crucial to optimizing and protecting a company?ÇÖs valuation and reputation. Bringing the exceptional team at Buchanan to Burson gives us immediate strength in financial communications in key international markets and the firepower to expand this expertise at scale.?Ç¥Buchanan chairman Richard Oldworth said, "The formation of Burson as the market-leading powerhouse in the global communications industry provides an exceptional opportunity for Buchanan to consolidate its leading position in London and expand its operations internationally. We share a common vision with Burson of building and protecting reputations, delivering significant value and placing our clients first, as capital markets evolve and present exciting global opportunities. Having the expansive global network and complementary skillsets which Burson provides will be of tremendous value to our existing and prospective clients."