Taft Communications, the award-winning purpose-driven integrated communications firm based in Trenton, has been acquired by New York City-based RF|Binder, a leading integrated communications and consulting firm powered by strategy, creativity and purpose, the firms will announce Wednesday.
The leaders of both firms say the move will bolster RF|Binder’s offerings in purpose, energy and sustainability, and health and wellness, while enhancing its ability to support clients committed to transformative impact at the intersection of business and society.
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The Taft team, based largely out of its New Jersey office, will operate as “Taft Communications, a division of RF|Binder.”
Taft CEO and Managing Partner Ted Deutsch will now serve as an executive managing director for RF|Binder, heading up the newly formed Taft Communications division.
Taft’s senior leadership team — including Lindsey Pascarella, Jayne O’Connor and Sheila Cort — will all remain in leadership positions with the new division of RF|Binder and be joined by the Taft client service team.
“At Taft, we’ve always believed in the power of communications to drive positive change while achieving business success,” Deutsch said. “Given our shared values, joining RF|Binder is a perfect next step for Taft to strengthen the expertise, resources, and reach we offer our clients and our people. I’ve been so impressed by RF|Binder’s deep commitment to a people-first culture and can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together.”
RF|Binder, since its founding in 2001 by CEO Amy Binder, has established itself as a leader within purpose-driven business, social impact and sustainability. It also has developed deep expertise in the area of sustainable investing, with a focus on how financial markets are increasingly taking into consideration sustainability and other factors impacting corporations across a broad array of industries.
The Taft Communications Division is expected to enhance RF|Binder’s expertise and will serve as the hub for an expanded purpose practice, with a focus on issue-based campaigns, advocacy and public affairs, nonprofit and foundation support.
The acquisition also broadens RF|Binder’s capabilities in alternative energy and clean tech and introduces new expertise in pharmaceuticals, hospital systems and foundations within the health and wellness sector.
Through its proprietary Clarity Lens Framework, RF|Binder pinpoints the priorities that matter most to each client, developing integrated communication strategies that directly advance business objectives and drive long-term organizational success. This offering will now be expanded with the Taft Division’s proprietary leadership training – ClearPoint – the go-to source for leaders and aspiring leaders to strengthen their leadership voice, “because leadership is a constant conversation.”
Binder obviously is thrilled with the acquisition.
“The addition of Taft Communications will enhance RF|Binder’s ability to deliver meaningful, impact-driven communications services, while also expanding our sector expertise,” she said. “We are thrilled to welcome the talented Taft team, whose commitment to driving purpose is perfectly aligned with our firm’s values. Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of what it means to support companies in advancing both their business goals and their societal contributions.”
Taft Communications was founded in 1983, when co-founders Mara Connolly and Pete Taft set out to form a firm built around their deeply shared commitment to communicating the passion and purpose of companies, causes and their leaders.
With a core strength in the greater New Jersey market, Taft supports companies, nonprofits and foundations throughout the country and beyond.
Deutsch became president of Taft in 2014 and then its CEO and managing partner in 2021. He brings 30 years of agency and in-house experience to his work with mission-driven organizations, empowering them to communicate with high impact.
Prior to Taft, Deutsch held senior communications positions in-house at major corporations including Avis-Budget Group and Novartis and was an Adjunct Lecturer teaching Management Communications in the MBA program of University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business RF|Binder and Taft began their partnership through their involvement in the PROI Global Network, the world’s largest network of independent communications agencies.
