Acquisition Enhances RF|Binder’s Expertise in Purpose, Energy & Sustainability, and Health & Wellness
New York, NY – RF|Binder, a leading integrated communications and consulting firm powered by strategy, creativity and purpose, announced the acquisition of Taft Communications, an award-winning purpose-driven integrated communications firm. This strategic move bolsters RF|Binder’s offerings in Purpose, Energy & Sustainability, and Health & Wellness, while enhancing its ability to support clients committed to transformative impact at the intersection of business and society. The Taft team, based largely out of its New Jersey office, will operate as “Taft Communications, a division of RF|Binder.” Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Since its founding in 2001 by CEO, Amy Binder, RF|Binder has established itself as a leader within purpose-driven business, social impact, and sustainability. It has also 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 will 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 & 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.®”
“The addition of Taft Communications will enhance RF|Binder’s ability to deliver meaningful, impact-driven communications services, while also expanding our sector expertise,” said RF|Binder CEO Amy Binder. “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.”
The Taft team will continue to be primarily based out of its Trenton, NJ office. 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,” said Ted Deutsch. “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.”
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 US and beyond.
Ted Deutsch became President of Taft in 2014 and then its CEO and Managing Partner in 2021. Ted 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 he 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.
About RF|Binder
RF|Binder is a fully integrated communications agency and consultancy that aligns communications and business strategy to achieve results. The firm delivers integrated corporate and marketing communications solutions that build reputations and grow businesses. Powered by the firm’s Clarity Lens™ framework, RF|Binder zeros in on exactly what matters most to each client’s business and brand, enabling its teams to develop and deploy targeted communications strategies, programs and initiatives that directly advance our clients’ business objectives and drive organizational success. Its team has deep expertise across a range of consumer, corporate, nonprofit and government sectors. RF|Binder is an independent and certified Woman-Owned Business headquartered in New York City with a global presence through PROI Worldwide partners, an association of leading public relations firms across 60 countries and more than 165 cities. RF|Binder has been named to Inc. Power Partners, PRNEWS’ Agency Elite Top 100, PR Daily’s Top Agencies Awards, Telly Awards, Communicators Awards, Crain’s New York’s Best Places to Work, and Observer PR Power List of the top PR firms for crisis and reputation management. For more information about RF|Binder, visit www.rfbinder.com.
About Taft Communications
Taft is a communications consultancy with 40 years of experience. Through strategic communications and leadership development, Taft guides clients to meaningful expressions of purpose to drive positive impact — for all stakeholders, including customers, employees, shareholders, communities, and the environment. Taft ClearPoint®, the firm’s practice in leadership communications, is the go-to source for leaders and aspiring leaders to acquire the skills needed to master today’s “constant conversation.” The company recently launched InspireWorks, a community relations initiative to provide training to nonprofit and small business leaders in Trenton, NJ, where the company recently relocated. For more information about Taft Communications, visit taftcommunications.com
