Projo Biz Blog

PROVIDENCE -- Clarendon Group, the public relations and lobbying firm founded by Christine Heenan, has effectively disbanded, with two of its divisions set to be absorbed by other local firms.

Effective Jan. 1, the company's state relations and campaigns group led by Arianne Corrente Lynch -- a regular presence at the Rhode Island State House -- will be acquired by the Providence lobbying and public relations shop, Advocacy Solutions, LLC.

Its federal relations and health policy practice, headed up by Stacy Paterno, meanwhile will be merged with Johnson & Associates, a small health-care consultancy where she will serve as partner.

Advocacy Solutions President Frank McMahon called the Clarendon acquisition "just a good fit for us. In this economy, to be moving forward and announcing growth is good for us," he said.

Some had questioned Clarendon's future after Heenan left this summer to become Harvard University's vice president of government, community and public affairs. But the 7-year-old company soon announced that Paterno and Corrente Lynch would take over, and hired City of Providence lobbyist and special projects guru Garry Bliss to be the firm's managing partner.

In a statement issued to clients, the company made little mention of why it was dismantling, saying it was proud of the work it has done on issues ranging from health care to housing to the environment. "We "look forward to bringing Clarendon's unique lens to our new colleagues in our new organizations..." it said.

Starting Jan. 1, Corrente Lynch will take over as the firm's new managing director of public affairs, with Clarendon staffers John Longo and Allison Kerbel assisting her. Corrente Lynch is expected to bring several Clarendon clients with her and will work closely with the firm's existing government relations team, according to McMahon.

According to Clarendon, Bliss is now lined up to accept a new job sometime later this month, though the company said it could not say where he will work until details are finalized. Bliss will also continue to work on a freelance basis for the University of Massachusetts, a longtime Clarendon client.

Company spokesman Kim Keough, meanwhile, will take over as director of public relations at the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority.

 Tags  Christine Heenan Clarendon Group Providence public relations firm

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