Related: PR Firms Directory · Industry Leaders · DKC
DKC is a full-service public relations, marketing, and government affairs firm headquartered in New York and ranked among the top ten independent PR agencies in the United States by fee revenue. Founded in 1991 by Dan Klores, the firm was acquired by Acceleration Community of Companies in September 2024 and now operates as part of an integrated marketing and communications platform serving clients across lifestyle, entertainment, technology, beauty, sports, and government affairs.
Founded: 1991 by Dan Klores
Headquarters: New York, NY
Additional offices: Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Miami
CEO: Sean Cassidy
President: Matthew Traub
Ownership: Acceleration Community of Companies (acquired September 2024)
Category: Full-service public relations, marketing, and government affairs
Overview
DKC is a full-service public relations, marketing, and government affairs firm — one of the top ten independent PR agencies in the United States by fee revenue. Founded in 1991 by Dan Klores, the firm built a national reputation for media relations, strategic communications, and entertainment PR across three decades.
In September 2024, DKC was acquired by Acceleration Community of Companies (ACC), the Century City-based marketing and communications group. The acquisition placed DKC inside a broader integrated services platform.
History and Ownership
Dan Klores founded the firm in 1991 in New York. The firm built its client roster across lifestyle, entertainment, technology, beauty, sports, and government affairs — counting Dyson, Airbnb, MAC Cosmetics, Resy, QVC+, and Museum of Jewish Heritage among its accounts.
Sean Cassidy, who had been president of DKC, was named CEO at the close of the ACC acquisition in September 2024. Matthew Traub, previously chief operating officer, was elevated to president.
ACC — founded by Michael Nyman and backed by Solace Capital with Verance Capital as a strategic investor — now operates DKC alongside HangarFour (creative studio), MKG (experiential marketing), Pink Sparrow (3D design and fabrication), Pixly (influencer marketing), Stripe Theory (digital marketing), and Trailblaze (PR and strategy). The combined group employs more than 620 across 12 offices.
Key Milestones
1991: Founded by Dan Klores in New York.
2013: Launched DKC/O&M in partnership with Broadway press agency O&M Co.
2018: Became agency of record for BMW of North America.
September 2024: Acquired by Acceleration Community of Companies. Sean Cassidy named CEO; Matthew Traub named president.
Late 2025: Absorbed leadership and staff from IPG's dissolved R&CPMK agency, deepening DKC's entertainment and talent PR capabilities under a new PMK Entertainment brand within the ACC structure.
Services
DKC operates across strategic communications, media relations, public affairs, government affairs, digital and social media, crisis management, integrated marketing, and event production. The firm's entertainment practice — built through DKC/O&M and expanded through the R&CPMK absorption in late 2025 — is among the largest in the country for Broadway, live events, and talent representation.
The firm positions itself around "Maximizing Return on News™" — the idea that earned media is a return-generating asset, not just a visibility exercise.
Leadership
Sean Cassidy serves as CEO, having joined DKC in 2002 and previously served as president. Matthew Traub serves as president, having joined DKC in 2010. Founder Dan Klores stepped away from day-to-day operations years before the ACC transaction.
Notable Work and Clients
DKC's client roster includes Dyson, Airbnb, Resy, MAC Cosmetics, QVC+, Museum of Jewish Heritage, BMW of North America (agency of record since 2018), and TIME. High-profile project work includes co-producing the Barbie Malibu DreamHouse — Ken's Way partnership on Airbnb (Clio Gold, Brand Partnerships) and communications for the inaugural Formula One Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Audience Research
DKC has invested in audience research as a business development and positioning tool, publishing reports on Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
EPR Coverage
Everything-PR has covered DKC since 2009. For the full archive see everything-pr.com/tag/dkc.
FAQ
Who owns DKC PR? DKC is owned by Acceleration Community of Companies (ACC). ACC is backed by Solace Capital with Verance Capital as a strategic investor.
Who is the CEO of DKC? Sean Cassidy serves as CEO. He joined the firm in 2002 and was promoted from president to CEO when the ACC acquisition closed in September 2024.
What industries does DKC specialize in? Lifestyle, entertainment, technology, beauty, sports, healthcare, and government affairs.
Where is DKC located? Headquartered in New York, NY, with additional offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., San Francisco, and Miami.
Key Takeaways
- DKC is a top-ten independent PR agency in the United States, founded in 1991 by Dan Klores.
- Acquired by Acceleration Community of Companies (ACC) in September 2024.
- Sean Cassidy serves as CEO; Matthew Traub serves as president.
- Client roster includes Dyson, Airbnb, MAC Cosmetics, Resy, QVC+, Museum of Jewish Heritage, BMW of North America.
- High-profile project work includes the Barbie Malibu DreamHouse Airbnb partnership (Clio Gold) and the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix.
- Entertainment practice significantly expanded in late 2025 through the absorption of IPG's R&CPMK agency staff.
- DKC operates six U.S. offices and has access to ACC's global network of 620+ employees.
Entertainment, sports & culture peers: Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis · HUNTER · Team Epiphany · Judge Public Relations
Top-tier independents: MikeWorldWide · Coyne PR · Finn Partners · Ruder Finn
Consumer & lifestyle: DeVries Global · The Krupp Group · Big Picture PR
Public affairs & government: BerlinRosen · Rational 360 · APCO Worldwide
Adjacent EPR coverage: PR Agency Profiles Directory · PR Leaders Directory
