by Dan Cence, CEO

Just over two years ago, Helene Solomon and Ashley McCown entrusted me with their legacy, naming me CEO of the remarkable public relations agency they founded in 2003, and asking me to guide it into the future. Today, I am thrilled to share two big steps towards that future.

First, Solomon McCown & Cence (SM&C) is merging with Murphy Donoghue Partners (MDP), adding one of Boston’s premier government relations teams to our incredible and growing lineup of public relations, crisis communications, public affairs, and digital experts. 

Second, as the two firms come together, we are changing our name. Beginning today, both SM&C and MDP will operate as one company: Issues Management Group.

So, what does this mean?

It means we are growing in a strategic way that gives us more tools to put to work for our clients. Through our merger with MDP, we are adding unmatched expertise in city and state relations to our team. We are building on Helene and Ashley’s legacy of providing senior-level counsel to help organizations succeed at the intersection of business and policy. 

Our new name, Issues Management Group, reflects the increasing complexity of today’s communications, government, business, and digital landscapes, and our critical role in shaping what’s to come. We are now 50 people strong and growing every day, representing nearly 100 companies and organizations across a wide array of industries.

I am honored to carry on the legacies of SM&C and MDP through Issues Management Group and can’t wait to get started on this new chapter for our firm.