Portland, Ore – Feb. 1, 2012 – D.A. Davidson & Co., a national full-service investment firm based in the Northwest, today announced it has acquired McGladrey Capital Markets LLC (MCM), an investment banking firm headquartered in Costa Mesa, California. The acquisition will double the size of Davidson’s investment banking group and expand its sector expertise in aerospace & defense, basic materials and packaging, food and beverage, infrastructure, industrials, energy services, and healthcare. No financial information was disclosed.

“We’re extremely pleased to have McGladrey Capital Markets join the Davidson team as we continue to grow our national presence and broaden our industry focus,” said Brad Gevurtz, head of Investment Banking for D.A. Davidson. “The combined company will rank in the top ten of middle market investment banks in the country by number of transactions.”

MCM is a global provider of investment banking services dedicated to serving the needs of owners, shareholders and managers of privately owned midsized businesses and mid-cap public companies.  MCM brings together companies, capital and creativity on a national and international scale to help clients achieve their strategic objectives. On a combined basis, the two companies’ middle market transactions will place Davidson in the top 10 of all domestic investment banks focused on transactions under $500 million.

“McGladrey Capital Markets is a highly respected middle market investment bank with accomplished investment bankers and established client relationships,” said Doug Woodcock, president of Equity Capital Markets for D.A. Davidson. “The sector expertise brought to us will complement and expand Davidson’s industry coverage while offering McGladrey Capital Markets the full service capabilities to raise equity capital for public and private clients.”

D.A. Davidson’s investment banking group provides a full range of advisory and execution services in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, public and private equity offerings, senior and subordinate debt financing, financial restructuring and fairness opinions. Davidson’s Investment Banking Group is headquartered in Portland, Ore. with offices in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Seattle and Great Falls, Mont. Davidson’s Investment Banking group closed 30 transactions in 2011 and remains the No. 1 ranked middle market M&A advisor for the number of transactions completed in the Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions.

“We are excited to join D.A. Davidson and have the opportunity to leverage the support and capabilities of a full service equity capital markets firm,” said Paul Weisbrich, senior managing director for McGladrey Capital Markets. “Davidson is a well-regarded investment firm, and we look forward to combining our expertise to offer a wide array of products and services to companies on a national and international basis.”

MCM will now operate as D.A. Davidson from its Costa Mesa and Chicago offices. Prior to the acquisition, the company was affiliated with RSM McGladrey Inc., a professional services firm providing accounting, tax and business consulting.  Both firms were indirect subsidiaries of H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB), the world’s pre-eminent tax services provider.

About D.A. Davidson & Co.

Founded in 1935, D.A. Davidson & Co. holds $23 billion in client assets under management and serves clients nationwide from offices in 15 states. D.A. Davidson’s Investment Banking Group, headquartered in Portland, Ore., provides full-service underwriting and advisory services for mid-size and growing companies, including public offerings, mergers and acquisitions and private placements. For information, visit www.davidsoncompanies.com/ecm.

D.A. Davidson is part of Davidson Companies, a Northwest-based financial services holding company with $29 billion in client assets under management. Employee-owned Davidson Companies also operates three other financial services companies.

New York/Portland, Ore. — Jan. 30, 2012 — LANE PR, an independently owned public relations, investor relations and social media agency, was retained by Infinova to provide strategic counsel for a multinational acquisition last month. Infinova, a global provider of complete video surveillance solutions, entered into an $89 million agreement to acquire March Networks, a security and video surveillance peer, in December 2011. The collaboration with Infinova capped another profitable year for LANE PR.

“Infinova presented an extraordinary opportunity to rally the companies, their customers and the media around a positive business development with great potential,” said Wendy Lane Stevens, president of LANE PR. “At the same time, it offered an exciting opportunity for our agency to showcase and strengthen our expertise in the investor relations and financial arena.”

Approach Required Collaboration on Global Scale
LANE PR advised Infinova throughout the acquisition, working with senior management of both organizations to develop and implement a communications strategy and plan. The agency’s approach took several markets into consideration: headquartered in the U.S., Infinova maintains operations across the world and is publicly traded on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in China, while the acquisition target – March Networks – is based in Ottawa, Canada, and was publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. In addition, LANE PR’s program incorporated the various issues associated with required oversight and approval from regulatory bodies in the U.S., Canada and China.

Through public relations and investor relations counsel, LANE PR advised Infinova on all aspects of communications surrounding the acquisition, including timing, positioning, messaging and media outreach. The agency announced the acquisition and effectively conveyed the benefit of the new alliance to employees at both companies as well as to their customers and investors. Furthermore, LANE PR secured strategic media coverage, laying the foundation necessary to help Infinova to accelerate future growth.

Infinova One of Several Acquisitions in December
In addition to counseling Infinova throughout its transaction with March Networks, LANE PR advised clients D.A. Davidson and Thoma Bravo on communications surrounding several deals in December 2011.

Also in December, private equity investment firm Thoma Bravo announced the planned acquisition of Telestream®, the leading provider of video transcoding and digital media software solutions; InfoVista, a global leader of service performance assurance; and Blue Coat Systems, a provider of Web security and WAN optimization solutions.

About LANE PR  
LANE PR is a national, independent firm specializing in business-driven communications strategies with offices in New York and Portland, Ore. Founded in 1990, LANE PR provides integrated public relations, social media, crisis communications and investor relations services for clients in a host of industries, including financial services, consumer, food and beverage, and technology. The agency has won several awards during its 20 years, including the 2009 PR Week Young PR Professional of the Year, 2008 PRSA Bronze Anvil Award for outstanding public relations tactics, the 2008 Gold Bulldog Award for excellence in media relations and the 2010 Bronze Bulldog Award for best new product launch. For more information about LANE PR, visit www.lanepr.com or follow @lanepr.

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New York/Portland, Ore. — Jan. 26, 2012 — LANE PR, an independently owned public relations, investor relations and social media agency, grew revenue by 7.2 percent in 2011 relative to 2010. In addition, LANE PR welcomed new staff and new clients and garnered three industry awards.

“Although the economy again presented challenges in 2011, it served to reinforce the importance of delivering exceptional results for our clients,” said Wendy Lane Stevens, founder and president of LANE PR. “Not only were we able to maintain a high level of service for our clients, but we also were able to build our national client roster and build our staff.”

LANE PR Experienced Growth in Investor Relations, Social Media and Public Relations
Increased demand for specialized services and expertise drove growth for LANE PR.  During the past year, LANE PR invested in developing services aimed to deliver growth opportunities in the years ahead, particularly in the areas of investor relations and social media. In addition, the agency focused on expanding its core practice areas, including food and beverage, consumer lifestyle, technology and financial services.

In the financial arena, LANE PR advised clients D.A. Davidson and Thoma Bravo on communications surrounding several acquisitions, and the agency ended the year counseling Infinova, a global provider of complete video surveillance solutions, on an acquisition involving multiple foreign exchanges and regulatory agencies.

LANE PR added Washington-based Tree Top, ABtoC (American Beef to Consumer) and sustainable quick-service chain Burgerville to its food and beverage portfolio.

Evergreen Wings & Waves Waterpark, Music & Arts, Northview Hotel Group and ZAGG Inc., joined LANE PR’s consumer lifestyle portfolio, while Intellibot Robotics rounded out the agency’s technology portfolio.

LANE PR Added, Promoted Staff 
LANE PR added four staff members to its team. Brian Nakashima was hired as the agency’s chief financial officer, Brandi Cook as account director, Jeff Segvich as senior account executive and Rob Bitter as account coordinator.

The agency also promoted several members of its staff: Angie Galimanis to vice president, Amber Roberts to managing director, Alison Siebert and Katie Stringer to account directors, Tracy Anderson to senior account executive and Olga Walsh to account executive.

Amy Paterson, a 15-year veteran of LANE PR, was appointed to a newly created position, vice president of social media.

LANE PR Received Industry Recognition
LANE PR was recognized for its work with Roundarch, a digital consulting agency based in New York. LANE PR’s Roundarch team received the Bronze Bulldog Award for Best New Product Launch for their efforts surrounding the new technology at the New York Jets Meadowlands Stadium.

The agency also received a PRSA Spotlight Award in crisis communications. LANE PR garnered the award for its role in revealing the truth, reversing misconceptions and restoring the reputation of Adventist Medical Center following a tragic death on its campus.

LANE PR was also recognized as the Small Agency of the Year at the 2011 Bulldog Stars of PR awards.

About LANE PR  
LANE PR is a national, independent firm specializing in business-driven communications strategies with offices in New York and Portland, Ore. Founded in 1990, LANE PR provides integrated public relations, social media, crisis communications and investor relations services for clients in a host of industries, including consumer, food and beverage, technology, and financial services. The agency has won several awards during its 20 years, including the 2008 PRSA Bronze Anvil Award for outstanding public relations tactics, the 2008 Gold Bulldog Award for excellence in media relations and the 2010 Bronze Bulldog Award for best new product launch. For more information about LANE PR, visit www.lanepr.com or follow @lanepr.

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Now the Tigard-based mobile phone service provider expects to add as many as 250 jobs to its current employment base of 450 in 2012 and grow revenue by 35 percent as it edges closer to reaching 1 million customers. Along the way, Consumer Cellular stands out as proof of the Baby Boomer generation’s considerable buying power.

“Boomers aren’t that different from everybody else,” said Consumer Cellular CEO John Marick.

Click here to read the full article.

A U.S. headquartered company, Infinova has operations across the world and is publicly traded on the Shenzhen stock exchange in China. March Networks, also a global company, is based in Ottawa, Canada and is publicly traded on the Toronto stock exchange.

The acquisition required regulatory oversight and approval from regulatory bodies from the U.S., Canada, and China.  For me, the most interesting aspect of the deal was the opportunity to work with an international company operating across diverse cultures and countries.

Our team worked hand-in-hand till the late hours of the night with senior management of both companies to implement our acquisition strategy including timing, messaging, document generation, media outreach, and overall PR and IR council.

The result was a seamless and clear flow of information to all constituencies and media coverage to accelerate Infinova’s future growth.   I look forward to following Infinova as they continue to expand and bring innovative products to the market.

The event, which took place at the Nines Hotel, named the best-of-the-best on the Portland food scene, including:

Chefs:
• Aaron Barnett, St. Jack
• Greg Perrault, June
• Sarah Pliner, Kat Whitehead & Jasper Sheen, Aviary
• Naomi Pomeroy, Beast
• William Preisch, The Bent Brick
• Gabriel Rucker, Le Pigeon

Pastry Chefs:
• Kir Jensen, The Sugar Cube
• Kristen D. Murray, Paley’s Place

Baker: Tim Healea, Little T American Baker

Community Chef: Jenn Louis, Lincoln

Sustainability Chef: Sunny Jin, Jory at the Allison Inn & Spa

Hotel Chef: Andy Arndt, Aquariva at Avalon Hotel & Spa

Concept: Elias Cairo, Olympic Provisions
Restaurateur: Kurt Huffman, ChefStable

Mixologist: Jeffrey Morgenthaler, Clyde Common

Sommelier: Jack Hott, Castagna

Host Chef: Matt Christianson, Urban Farmer at the Nines

Guest Chef: Anthony Cafiero, Tabla Mediterranean Bistro

Congrats to each Rising Star!  We sure enjoyed tasting through your selections.

We started Katrin’s tour by visiting Portland’s Pearl District, NW 23rd Avenue and Reed College. We then made our way out to the Willamette Valley for lunch at The Dundee Bistro and wine tasting at Stoller Vineyards and Sokol Blosser.

The day concluded with Katrin and Wendy Lane Stevens celebrating Portland’s Rising Stars with a dinner at Bluehour.

PORTLAND, Ore. (Dec. 12, 2011) – LANE PR, an independently owned public relations, investor relations and social media agency, has appointed Amy Paterson as vice president of social media. In this newly created role, Paterson will oversee social media strategy for client projects as well as lead the agency’s digital and social media initiatives in New York and Portland.

“Advancing our digital and social media offerings is a priority for the agency,” said Wendy Lane Stevens, president and founder of LANE PR. “Social media are a powerful tool in the communications arsenal, and the addition of this new leadership position will ensure that our social media offerings remain cutting edge and that LANE PR continues to drive business success for clients through fully integrated communications strategies.”

“In this age of digitally empowered consumers, ubiquitous mobile devices and 24/7 connectivity,” said Paterson, “both consumer and business-to-business companies need to be prepared to reach their customers where they spend so much of their time – online. Traditional PR practices, from media relations to crisis communication, are still vital, but social media are changing when and how we execute them. Treating digital media as an afterthought is no longer an option in today’s communications environment. As an agency, we are focused on integrating digital and social media considerations into everything we do.”

Paterson, who has more than 17 years experience in marketing and communications for consumer and business-to-business clients, has been with LANE PR for more than 15 years and is a member of the agency’s management team. For the past five years she has led employee training and development. Her hands-on, participatory approach to training and development will carry over to her new role as she nurtures the agency’s strong digital culture and ensures that staff members’ skills and capabilities continue to evolve as social media best practices evolve.

About LANE PR  
LANE PR is a national, independent firm specializing in business-driven communications strategies with offices in New York and Portland, Ore. Founded in 1990, LANE PR provides integrated public relations, social media and investor relations services for clients in a host of industries, including consumer, food and beverage, technology, and financial services. The agency has won several awards during its 20 years, including the 2009 PR Week Young PR Professional of the Year, 2008 PRSA Bronze Anvil Award for outstanding public relations tactics, the 2008 Gold Bulldog Award for excellence in media relations and the 2010 Bronze Bulldog Award for best new product launch. For more information about LANE PR, visit www.lanepr.com or follow @lanepr.
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The group, which includes the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, will pay Blue Coat’s shareholders $25.81 — a 48 percent premium to Thursday’s closing price.

The acquisition of Blue Coat — the third enterprise software transaction in seven days — is yet another sign that deal-making in the sector is heating up. On Thursday, I.B.M. announced a $440 million deal to buy DemandTec, a Web-based data analytics company. And on Saturday, Germany’s SAP agreed to buy SuccessFactors, a human resource management service. In each case, the target was an enterprise software company with Web-based applications and the buyer was willing to pay a roughly 50 percent premium.

Blue Coat, based in Sunnyvale, Calif., specializes in applications that help businesses optimize their online networks for speed and efficiency. Its security products, which are also offered through the so-called cloud, also help companies control and monitor the data that flows from the Web.

“Our partnership with Thoma Bravo will assist Blue Coat in more aggressively realizing the opportunities in its two markets, by providing a platform that enables greater focus on the business that supports the future growth of the company,” Gregory S. Clark, Blue Coat’s chief executive, said in a statement.

Click here to read the full article.