Hollywood PR Shake-Up: Most R&CPMK Staff and Clients Move to Michael Nyman’s ACC to Launch PMK Entertainment

A significant realignment has occurred within the entertainment public relations landscape, with the majority of staff from R&CPMK moving to Michael Nyman's Acceleration Community of Companies (ACC). In a strategic partnership with R&CPMK chief Cindi Berger, ACC—a collective of firms specializing in PR, marketing, branding, data, and events—has established a new agency called PMK Entertainment. The name honors the legendary personal publicist Pat Kingsley, whose independent agency was a dominant force in Hollywood for decades. Kingsley’s firm, particularly influential during the 80s and 90s, represented an elite roster of actors and directors, fundamentally shaping the standards for talent representation that persist to this day.

This collaboration represents a homecoming for ACC's founder and CEO, Michael Nyman. His professional history is deeply intertwined with these brands, having previously been chairman and CEO of R&CPMK following his tenure at the firm Bragman Nyman Cafarelli. He departed in 2018 to create ACC, a curated network designed to offer clients a full spectrum of services from traditional publicity to data analytics. One industry expert observed, "This consolidation is indicative of a larger movement where clients are favoring nimble, specialized networks over large, single-focus agencies that can't adapt as quickly." This shift is largely driven by the need for more cohesive and versatile support systems in a rapidly evolving digital media world.

The transaction was executed as a clean business transfer, not a traditional cash acquisition. This arrangement was facilitated by the fact that R&CPMK's parent company, the global advertising behemoth Interpublic Group (IPG), is currently navigating a complex merger with its rival, Omnicom. Interpublic Group, one of the world's largest advertising and marketing holding companies, reportedly did not view R&CPMK as a central component of its long-term financial portfolio, making the move to ACC a logical step. This no-cash deal underscores the ongoing turbulence within the entertainment PR sector, with ACC integrating 77 former R&CPMK employees and the bulk of its client list.

Under the new structure, Cindi Berger will act as CEO of PMK Entertainment, while veteran executive Alan Nierob assumes the role of president, leading a core team of 35. The agency boasts a formidable client roster that includes cinematic icons like Denzel Washington, Hugh Jackman, and Eddie Murphy, as well as powerhouse producer Jerry Bruckheimer and major institutions such as the Grammy Awards and the Tribeca Festival. Meanwhile, IPG will continue to operate the Rogers & Cowan brand as a separate PR entity concentrating on entertainment and sports.

The integration extends beyond the formation of PMK Entertainment, impacting other ACC subsidiaries. Approximately 20 staff have joined Advisory, ACC's brand and marketing consultancy, while another 22 have moved to DKC, the corporate communications firm ACC purchased last year. Sean Cassidy, CEO of DKC, stated, "These exceptional teams are a perfect complement to DKC's broad and expanding portfolio." This consolidation boosts ACC's total employee count to around 620, cementing its position as a major, integrated force in the market. As Alan Nierob highlighted, the synergy of specialized skills across the ACC network is poised to deliver unparalleled value, heralding a transformative phase for entertainment public relations and brand marketing.