National buys Montreal public affairs firm
By Adnews Staff
National Public Relations has purchased the assets of Montreal-based public affairs firm Communication et Stratégie. The firm's founder and CEO, Serge Paquette, has joined National as senior vice-president of the agency's public affairs practice in Montreal. He will also supervise National's communications activities in Ottawa, where his own firm also operated. "The transaction gives a major boost to our public affairs practice in Montreal, which is already one of our most successful practices in that market," said National CEO Luc Beauregard. Six other staff members of Communication et Stratégie have also been hired by National. The firm's clients included the City of Blainville, the Insurance Bureau of Canada, Industry Canada, the Privy Council Office, the City of Gatineau and others. Ownership of the company was split between Paquette and Capital Hill Group. National acquired the assets of both these parties on Jan. 3 for an unknown amount.