CHICAGO — Walker Sands has acquired March Communications, creating a combined tech-focused agency that expands both firms’ capabilities and reach.

March co-founders Martin Jones and Cheryl Gale will remain in leadership roles with the firm, which will now be known as March, a Walker Sands company. CEO Jones will report to Walker Sands CEO Mike Santoro. Gale, currently March president and chief client officer, will run the agency's Boston headquarters as managing director.

The deal will make Walker Sands a roughly $30 million business, with a staff of 170 across its offices in Chicago, San Francisco and Seattle and March’s in Boston and Atlanta. Before buying March, Walker Sands’ revenue was about $25 million.

“We have been a very fast-growing firm for many years now,” Santoro said. “What this does is accelerate that growth and give us opportunities on the East Coast.”

Gale, who launched March with Jones 17 years ago, said the move provides the range of benefits that come with being part of a larger business, for clients and employees.

“For our people, it’s a great opportunity to build out skills and gain new experiences and look to other service offerings … and further their careers and help clients,” Gale said.