MWW Acquires LGBT Agency Macias Media Group LLC; Stephen Macias Appointed SVP And National LGBT Practice Lead

LOS ANGELES, March 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- MWW (www.mww.com), one of the top five independent public relations firms, today announced that it has acquired Macias Media Group LLC (MMG), a full-service marketing, public relations and corporate communications firm focused on connecting clients with the coveted LGBT consumer space. As part of this transaction, MMG Founder and President Stephen Macias joins MWW as senior vice president and LGBT lead, based in the firm's Los Angeles and New York offices. In his new role, Macias will oversee LGBT marketing and programing for existing and incoming clients, coalesce current LGBT resources within the firm and serve as MWW's steward for all issues pertaining to public relations associated with the LGBT community.

"Stephen and the team at MMG are among the most experienced and exciting LGBT firms in the nation. They are an important addition to the MWW family and a tremendous asset as we help our clients tap into the power and influence of LGBT communities," said Michael W. Kempner, president and CEO of MWW.  "Having a team that inherently knows and lives the issues pertaining to the LGBT community is essential in creating campaigns that are authentic and relevant."

"Corporations and brands are now more than ever looking for LGBT-focused expertise as the marketplace for the LGBT community has moved from marginalized to coveted," said Macias. "Tastemakers and thought leaders from the LGBT community are part of the mainstream market and MWW is a company that understands the importance of this market both as a consumer group and influencer group. This newly created practice provides U.S. and global brands with access to one of the best networks of LGBT influencers and organizations. We're thrilled to become part of the MWW family."

MWW's acquisition of MMG is part of the firm's strategic plan to provide the specialized level of service required by clients to build and maintain relevance among their stakeholders.

Since its founding, MMG grew into one of the top boutique agencies specifically targeting the LGBT market, with clients like Here Media Inc., which owns and operates LGBT brands including The Advocate, OUT, Here TV, Gay.com, Gay.net, SheWired.com, and HIV Plus. Additional brands have included Netflix's Orange Is the New Black; The Weinstein Company's Radius for Concussion; Vertical Entertainment for G.B.F., the Vail International Film Festival; Author and Journalist, Steven Petrow, The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, Spruce and United for Equality in Sports & Entertainment, a non-profit organization working to achieve equality in sport and entertainment for all LGBT athletes and artists.

Prior to founding MMG, Macias served eight years as executive vice president and general manager for Here Media Inc. Previously, Macias was the entertainment media director for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and also served as vice president at Michel Levy Enterprises. Additionally, Macias has worked with numerous non-profits over the years with organizations like the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and Outfest, the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival where he served for eight years on the Board of Directors, with four of those years as President. He currently sits on the largest California LGBT organization, Equality California, which works at a state legislative level protecting LGBT rights in areas like education, aging and healthcare.

Through this acquisition, MWW now boasts a national network of experts who maintain close working relationships with the world's leading LGBT organizations, government entities and private sector influencers.

About MWW
MWW is one of the nation's top mid-sized public relations firms and one of the five largest independent agencies. The firm is industry-recognized for its work in consumer lifestyle marketing, digital marketing and social media, corporate communications, public affairs and government relations, consumer technology, healthcare and visual branding.

MWW's approach to building and accelerating relevance for clients has been recognized with top industry awards, including the 2013 "PR Agency of the Year," by the International Business Awards, 2013 "Midsize Agency of the Year" by the Bulldog Stars of PR Awards as well as 2013 "Best Places to Work in New Jersey" by NJBiz and 2012 "Top Places to Work in PR" by PR News. For more information on the firm's capabilities and "Matter More" commitment, visit www.mww.com. Connect with MWW on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google Plus and Instagram.

SOURCE MWW