Leading Dallas PR Firm Announces Sale, New Name and Leadership Structure

CommPRO.biz Editorial StaffC. Pharr & Company’s owner and CEO, Cynthia Pharr Lee, announced the sale of the firm to Leah Ekmark Williams, APR, effective Nov. 1, 2017. The full service, Dallas-based public relations agency also announced its rebranding as Dala Communications. Upon the sale, Williams will be named president and CEO while Pharr Lee will remain with the firm in the role of chairman for three years. Dala’s predecessor agency was founded in 1986 by Pharr Lee, APR, Fellow PRSA, one of the Southwest’s leading communications experts.Pharr Lee and Williams began working together in 2005 and formalized their partnership agreement in 2012. Specializing in an array of industries ranging from real estate, construction and engineering to education, health care, finance and professional services firms, Williams and Pharr Lee have served some of the most respected names in business.“Cynthia’s influence and reputation in the public relations industry and business community is far reaching. I was astounded when she approached me early on in my career to discuss a business partnership and succession planning for the agency,” said Williams. “I never imagined my first job in PR would evolve into my own agency. I have learned from the best and continue to value Cynthia’s counsel as she continues to be involved in the agency as chairman of Dala.”“I am very blessed to have such an accomplished entrepreneurial business partner, and it’s been great to work with Leah for more than a decade and gain full confidence that her priorities will remain focused on excellent client service while fostering a professional and collegial work environment for our employees,” said Pharr Lee. “I look forward to continuing to work with Leah and Dala to provide strategic communication services to our clients.”Dala Communications is taken from the nickname “Dala,” which refers to the Dalecarlian horse, a cultural symbol of Sweden that also represents a legacy of Swedish entrepreneurship, which is a part of Williams’ heritage. Williams’ grandfather built a successful photography business after leaving Sweden and arriving in New York City in 1903 via Ellis Island, and her father is also a successful business owner.