ICR Acquires Baltimore-based Healthcare Investor Relations Firm Westwicke Partners

Baltimore-based investor relations firm Westwicke Partners has been acquired by ICR, a leading strategic communications and advisory firm with offices in New York, Norwalk, Boston, San Francisco and Beijing, according to a joint announcement by the two companies.

Westwicke will combine with ICR’s existing healthcare investor and public relations practice, forming a new entity branded as Westwicke, An ICR Company. The new practice group will be co-led by Westwicke founders Mark Klausner, left, and Bob East, who founded the firm in 2006 which now has 29 team members and more than 100 clients. In addition to Baltimore, Westwicke’s offices are in Boston, New York, San Diego and San Francisco.

According to the announcement, the transaction advances ICR’s strategy to be the leading strategic communications firm serving companies with sector-focused expertise. ICR says it pioneered the model of having former sell-side analysts and other Wall Street professionals with dedicated sector expertise serve as IPO advisors, investor relations and capital markets advisors to clients.

By combining with ICR, Westwicke will expand its capabilities to now include ICR’s established practice areas of public relations, digital branding, crisis & special situations and governance advisory services. ICR’s PR team consists of more than 75 team members, including a dedicated team serving the healthcare industry.

Tom Ryan, CEO of ICR, stated, “We have always had the utmost respect for Westwicke and viewed them as the ‘ICR of Healthcare’. The Westwicke team has built an incredible business that mirrors our culture and commitment to excellence in client service and sector-focused strategic counsel. We couldn’t be more excited and look forward to their leadership in growing an integrated healthcare practice and contributing to the broader success of ICR.”