• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, February 1, 2022

Independent PR agency Finn Partners has acquired AHA (Alling Henning Associates), a 52-person, women-owned brand strategy and creative agency headquartered in Vancouver, Washington. 

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. 

Betsy Henning, Founder and CEO of AHA, will join Finn as managing partner of the firm’s new global internal communications and employee engagement practice. The firm cited growing demand for such services as the reason for establishing the new offering.   

AHA's leadership will remain in place. It was founded in 1994 and was one of the largest independent marketing agencies in the Portland metro area. The agency is a pioneer in purpose-driven marketing and offers strategic branding, creative, and program execution and implementation services. 

The agency has expertise in employee engagement, content marketing, corporate social responsibility and sustainability which are growth targets for Finn. 

AHA’s client roster includes Nike, Microsoft, HP, VMware, Johnson & Johnson, Comcast and NBCUniversal. 

Peter Finn, founder and CEO of Finn Partners noted that during the pandemic businesses put greater emphasis on purpose-driven and related services, where AHA excels.  “Now Finn will be able to provide strategic counsel and creative services to meet this growing need, among current clients and a broad range of prospects,” he said. 

Henning added that “helping employees see the power of the brand and company by connecting with its purpose drives real business impact.” Joining Finn Partners, she said, will help the agency better support client efforts.