NEW YORK, May 9—Continuing its apparent effort to corner the market on entertainment public relations, Interpublic Group has acquired entertainment PR specialist Huvane Baum Halls in what Variety calls a “seven-figure deal.” The boutique agency will operate as part of McCann-Erickson and will be merged with entertainment powerhouse PMK to become PMK/HBH.

Interpublic also owns Rogers & Cowan, long part of the Weber Shandwick Worldwide operation in the U.S., and Bragman Nyman Cafarelli, acquired by WSW earlier this year.

HVH was formed six years ago by Stephen Huvane, Robin Baum and Simon Halls, and represents several hot celebrities including actors Gwyneth Paltrow, Russell Crowe, Jude Law, and Frances McDormand and director Ang Lee among others. PMK clients include Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Sandra Bullock and Martin Scorsese.
PMK/HBH will be led by PMK founder Pat Kingsley as managing partner, with her colleagues Leslee Dart and Lois Smith serving as deputy managing partners, while Huvane , Baum and Halls will be managing directors. The combined agency will have 65 employees at offices in the Los Angeles area and New York, working for about 325 clients.