Black Twig Communications Announces Change of Ownership

Black Twig Communications, LLC, a leading St. Louis-based public relations and marketing firm, announces a newly formed group of members have acquired the assets of Black Twig Communications, LLC. The new owners include current partners, Stephanie Flynn and Tom Gatti, along with recently named partners Nick Benedick and Lauren Freinberg. These four join current owner and partner, Mary DeHahn, to operate the agency. William Kay, named a partner in the firm in 2015, will remain a partner on the new leadership team.

Founding members and former owners Bruce Kupper and Randy Seeling have retired as of the New Year. Seeling will continue working at the agency’s Clayton, Missouri office as a transition consultant. Mary DeHahn, along with Stephanie Flynn, will serve as Co-Managing Partners.

“We are very pleased and excited to start this year with a new team of young leaders and high performers,” said Mary DeHahn, Founder and Co-Managing Partner of Black Twig Communications. “Along with Stephanie and Tom, Nick and Lauren have been a big part of our success and growth. We are delighted to have them join the ranks and appreciate the abilities and experience they bring to help serve our clients and our company.”

DeHahn joined Black Twig in 2006 as an owner and partner, and leads accounts in the agency’s health care and business-to-business practices. Prior to joining Black Twig, De Hahn held executive roles for Kupper Parker Communications, Incorporated and its predecessor, Kupper Advertising, Inc. Before joining Kupper Advertising, Inc., De Hahn served as Senior Vice President of marketing for Landmark Bancshares Corporation, a bank holding company in St. Louis, Missouri and Executive Director of the Missouri Arts Council.

Flynn has been serving in the role of Partner since 2013. With fifteen years of experience in marketing and public relations she joined Black Twig back in 2010 as Account Supervisor, providing more leadership and guidance during her tenure. Specializing in media relations, event planning, community relations, social media consulting, and strategic communications plans, she continues to lead the agency’s account staff as well as take on various responsibilities within the operations of the firm including setting agency policy and business strategy.

Tom Gatti brings thirty years of experience in consumer, business-to-business, building products, construction and real-estate communications. In addition to his business development responsibilities, he works with clients to enhance their industry ranking while introducing them to new potential customers through Black Twig’s representation services. Tom has been with Black Twig since it started in 2006.

Benedick brings ten years of experience in public relations and communications consulting and joined Black Twig in 2010. He has a MBA from Webster University and specializes in media relations, community relations and strategic communication planning, particularly with the business-to-business marketing practice. Benedick has worked with a wide variety of clients and industries, and has concentrated in manufacturing, technology, process and control engineering and hospitals/hospital systems.

Freinberg joined Black Twig in 2012 as an account executive, specializing in media relations and communications for clients in numerous industries, specifically business-to-consumer, information technology and professional services. She assumed the role of Senior Account Executive in 2013 and has since, along with Benedick, led the agency’s internship program.

William Kay has more than twenty-five years of experience in the communications field. With a skillset including association management, marketing, public relations, strategic planning, and business development, Kay serves as a new business development partner at the firm.

“As we begin to celebrate our 10th anniversary this April, we are grateful to our former owners Bruce and Randy for their contributions to our company and our field of work,” said Flynn. “The industry continues to evolve, and our new partnership will open the door to greater opportunities for the clients we serve now and in the future.”