iStock illustration

A pair of prominent local consulting and government relations firms have merged, with Solomon McCown & Cence and Murphy Donoghue Partners combining their strategic communications and lobbying might under a new identity as the Issues Management Group.

Dan Cence, a veteran lobbyist and political strategist who joined Solomon McCown & Company in 2016 and became its owner and CEO in early 2020, will lead the new firm as CEO. He said it is a “dream come true” to combine the experience, talent and legacies of Helene Solomon, Ashley McCown, Jack Murphy and Roger Donoghue.

“For our current clients, we are growing in a strategic way that gives us more tools to put to work for them. For our future clients, the new company will enhance our ability to shape the conversation in an increasingly complex media, political, and regulatory environment,” Cence said in a statement.

MDP co-founder Jack Murphy said his firm has known Cence for years and worked with his SM&C team on “a number of highly complex projects.” That familiarity led to a decision to combine forces.

“As we considered the skillsets that will be needed to help guide organizations of all shapes and sizes in the future, we realized that blending MDP and SM&C would set a high bar and offer our clients the strongest path forward,” Murphy said.

The newly combined firm includes three divisions focused on strategic communications, public affairs and digital, and lists as clients the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association, Mass. Brewers Guild, Commonwealth Care Alliance, the bank Rockland Trust Co., Ameresco, CIC Health, VNA Care, and the Department of Children and Families.

The former Murphy Donoghue Partners brings a stable of clients that includes Associated Industries of Massachusetts, Beth Israel Lahey Health, Mass. Dental Society, McDonald’s, Pfizer and Commonwealth Alternative Care. MDP reported about $2.19 million in 2021 compensation, according to lobbying disclosures.

Aside from the principals who shared their names with the previous firms, the Issues Management Group’s roster lists a number of people well-known on and around Beacon Hill. Steve McElhinney is chief financial officer; Conor Yunits, TJ Winick, Jan Goldstein and Rich Copp serve as senior vice presidents; Maureen Glynn and Tara O’Donnell are partners; and Molly Horan is the firm’s managing director.

Cence has worked as an aide to former Boston City Councilor Tom Keane, was government and community affairs director for Suffolk DA Dan Conley, press secretary for Democrat Chris Gabrieli’s 2006 gubernatorial bid, and did political work for the late Boston Mayor Tom Menino. He formed Cence Cincotti Strategies with Jay Cincotti in 2007 after leaving the Newgrange Consulting Group.

The combined company and its more than 50 employees will be headquartered in downtown Boston, with an office in New York City.