Crowe PR, a San Diego-based integrated public relations agency, has announced the acquisition of Eckis Marketing, also based in San Diego. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Eckis Marketing, founded in 2017, specialized in female-founded lifestyle brands, women entrepreneurs, social media and digital marketing initiatives.
Founded by Whitney Eckis when she was 22 years old, the firm has experience with a number of high-visibility clients, including Marriott, Hilton, Soul Cycle, Clearstem Skincare, Dream Pops, Fody, RationAle, Sonix Accessories, Soul CBD and Get Supr, an instant coffee brand fused with hemp. Eckis’ podcast is titled “Under the Influence.”
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to bring Crowe PR’s expanded services to Eckis Marketing’s clients to help bring these incredible brands to the next level,” said Whitney Eckis. “Anna’s passion and tenacity have led her to build one of today’s leading performance PR agencies, and she is someone I have always kept my eyes on for inspiration and a true intentional agency playbook.”
A Crowe statement said the acquisition, part of Crowe’s ninth-year-in-business celebration, will broaden its social media and design capabilities, as well as help expand the agency’s national presence and content creation capabilities.
“Over the past nine years, we have been fortunate to work with change-maker brands and innovators across healthcare, CPG (consumer packaged goods) and travel industries,” said Anna Crowe, Crowe PR founder and CEO. “Our company and team have grown to meet the needs of our customers and the continuously evolving PR and marketing landscapes.
“Whitney and I have collaborated on various projects over the years. I’ve been impressed with her creativity and am looking forward to optimizing client support and value together in 2024 and beyond.”
Founded in 2015, Crowe has nearly 30 employees who work in 10 markets, including New York City, Boston, Los Angeles, Nashville and Washington, D.C. Crowe PR’s clients include medical device and genomics companies, wellness, spirits, apparel and hotel brands.
Intesa Hires Margaret Lutz Chantung from CSU San Marcos
Intesa Communications Group, a San Diego-based strategic communications and government relations firm, has hired Margaret Lutz Chantung as the firm’s new director of strategic communications.
Chantung, a San Diego native, previously spent the past 16 years at California State University San Marcos, where her titles included public information officer, senior director of communications and speechwriter, associate vice president of communications, and chief communications officer, a cabinet-level position.
At CSUSM, she oversaw news and media relations, internal communications, branding and marketing communications, social media, crisis communications and executive communications.
An Intesa spokesperson told Times of San Diego that Chantung won awards at CSUSM from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). The awards from CASE included work for CSUSM’s alumni magazine, a fundraising campaign, graphic design and news writing.
Prior to CSUSM, Chantung served as a public affairs specialist at the South Coast Air Quality Management District and an information specialist at the Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce.
The spokesperson said the firm’s work with the CSUSM Foundation, a client the past three years, led to becoming acquainted with Chantung, who will work with Intesa clients, including South Bay Community Services, Sacramento State and MiraCosta College.
An Intesa statement said that Chantung “will play a pivotal role in advancing Intesa’s mission to help leaders and organizations communicate and advocate with confidence in opportunity and crisis. Additionally, she will support Intesa’s ever-expanding North San Diego County footprint.”
“The passion radiating from every individual at Intesa is contagious, coupled with an unwavering commitment to excellence and values-based leadership that truly sets them apart,” said Chantung. “I look forward to not only contributing to the continued success of the organization but also championing Intesa’s diverse client base by crafting compelling stories and delivering strategic communications that resonate at the highest level. It’s an exciting journey ahead, and I couldn’t be more honored to be a part of it.”
TV’s ‘Let Joe Know’ Joins Better Business Bureau Staff
The Better Business Bureau Pacific Southwest, serving Southern California and Arizona with offices in San Diego, Phoenix, Prescott, Yuma and Lake Havasu City, has appointed former Phoenix TV consumer reporter Joe Ducey as associate VP of public engagement and investigative outreach.
Ducey, with a 40-year career in broadcast journalism, spent the past 18 years at KNXV-TV, ABC 15, and the past 10 years as “Let Joe Know,” a consumer reporter who helped thousands of Arizonans save or recoup millions of dollars, the BBB said. For his work, Ducey has been honored with a Peabody Award, National Investigative Emmy, regional Edward R. Murrow and multiple Emmys. He left the station in January.
Ducey’s role at the BBB will include spotlighting businesses for their ethical conduct, offering guidance on essential factors consumers should consider when selecting trustworthy companies and providing insightful purchasing advice, a statement said. He also will amplify discussions on business and consumer trends through a BBB podcast, interviews and local engagement with integrity-driven enterprises.
“As an advocate for ethical business practices, Joe’s expertise will not only propel BBB’s mission but further solidify the value of BBB accreditation when seeking trustworthy companies to do business with,” said Matthew Fehling, president and CEO, BBB Pacific Southwest. “Joe’s longstanding relationship with BBB speaks volumes about his dedication to fostering integrity and will undoubtedly bolster our efforts to promote ethical standards in our community.”
Ducey came to ABC 15 in Phoenix in 2006. Previously, he worked as a consumer and investigative reporter for KRON-TV in San Francisco. He also worked at WXYZ-TV in Detroit and WFLA-TV in Tampa.
IABC San Diego Hosts Mixer, Seeks COTY Nominations
The International Association of Business Communicators San Diego chapter will host a free networking mixer featuring a presentation from the San Diego State University’s Strategic Communications and Public Affairs team from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 28, at SDSU’s Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union building, 3rd floor, 6075 Aztec Circle Drive.
Visitor parking at SDSU is available at the South Campus Plaza parking garage, 5850 Lindo Paseo, San Diego, as well as Parking Structure 3, 1 East Campus Dr., San Diego. For questions about the mixer, contact Rob Campbell at 312-520-9193.
In addition, IABC/San Diego is seeking nominations for its 2024 Communicator of the Year (COTY) and Junior COTY awards. Deadline for nominations is March 7. Eligible nominees for the Junior COTY award should have less than five years of experience in the communications industry. All nominees must be IABC/San Diego members. Winners will be announced in April. For more information, visit sandiego.iabc.com.
Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.