Agency That Pioneered PR for Causes Changing Hands

Fenton, one of the first communications agencies devoted primarily to shaping campaigns for charities, foundations, and activists, is getting new ownership and leadership, reports The New York Times. Founder and CEO David Fenton sold the New York-based firm to the owners of Collegium, a network of cause-marketing agencies.

Launched in 1982, Mr. Fenton’s firm pioneered the now-thriving field of social-change communications, serving clients such as the Environmental Defense Fund, the Ford Foundation, Save the Children, and the Wikimedia Foundation. He will remain with the agency as chairman but said he plans to devote more time to working on efforts to counter climate change. He will be succeeded as chief executive by Bill Werde, former editorial director of music trade publication Billboard.