Local firms join as one

A partnership between local PR and design firms seems to be a perfect match, just like, say peanut butter and jelly.

Micah Paldino, founder and CEO of Public Relations, Branding & Jabber, and Emmit Jones, founder and CEO of SYN/TAX, a graphic design firm, worked on a project together more than a year ago. Soon after, they were sharing a 300-square-foot office space. Now, after more than a year of sharing space, the two companies are becoming one and relocating to a larger office space, a sixth floor spot on Seventh Street, between Vine and Race.

The joined company will be called Peanut Butter & Jelly, keeping the PB&J acronym from Paldino’s company. The expanded offerings make PB&J a multi-dimensional branding and pr firm. The expanded office space will allow them to do all the production for their campaigns, which includes video for commercials, printing, social media and any medium that is needed to best convey their messages.

“We find the right media for a message,” Paldino says. “You might have a message that is really creative, but may not be best in print, so we could come up with ideas, like short videos for smartphones.”

Paldino and his firm were the brains behind the 10,000 Busken’s Bakery donuts giveaway during Midpoint Music Festival, as well as campaigns for Yagoot, which utilized the fabrication skills of local collective Such & Such. PB&J is continuing to form partnerships with new clients under its new name.

Paldino expects the merge will go well, not only because the professionals have already been working together, but also because of the effort he makes to get to know clients and partners.

“You really should know the person you’re working with before you sign a contract,” Paldino says. “Which is why I really don’t force my business on people. If I think I can help a business, I’ll tell them why. I have to know the client and product before I’m passionate about it.”