ZAPWATER COMMUNICATIONS ACQUIRES THE BARRY GROUP
LOS ANGELES (January 9, 2017) – Zapwater Communications, Inc., an award-winning public relations agency specializing in lifestyle brands, today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire The Barry Group, a Los Angeles-based boutique agency. The move strengthens Zapwater’s Los Angeles office and allows the agency to better serve its existing West Coast clients. The Barry Group specializes in the areas of travel and hospitality, and luxury home and design. Founded in 2000 by Jennifer Barry, The Barry Group will become part of Zapwater Communications’ Los Angeles office, with Barry assuming the title of Managing Director, Los Angeles. All Barry Group employees will continue with Zapwater, and there are currently no client conflicts between the two agencies.
"When I first met Jennifer, I was excited that her agency had a like-minded philosophy as Zapwater and I was impressed with her team's deep understanding of the Los Angeles market, which we needed to enhance in order to meet our current client needs,” stated David Zapata, founder and president of Zapwater. “With The Barry Group now becoming part of Zapwater, we are well equipped to continue our growth in the Western United States.”
“Also, as Zapwater has evolved, so has our client focus. Moving forward, Zapwater will only work with clients in our five primary focus areas: consumer products/services, design/real estate, fashion/beauty/retail, hospitality and travel/destination. By adding The Barry Group's expertise in these areas, we become that much stronger. Our acquisition of The Barry Group aligns well with our overall business vision and continued growth as an agency."
"The Barry Group has long serviced our national and Los Angeles-based clients,” said Jennifer Barry, president of the Barry Group. "By joining forces with Zapwater, we are positioned to bring new resources and opportunities to our clients and employees, while continuing the outstanding work we've built our reputation upon.
"I'm proud of the work The Barry Group has done throughout the past 16 years and look forward to working with the Zapwater team and its Travel Lifestyle Network global partners," Barry added.
Rick Gould and Mike Muraszko of Gould + Partners brought this acquisition opportunity to Zapwater and facilitated the transaction.