Michael Nyman, co-chairman and CEO of PMK*BNC, is exiting the company to start a new venture titled Acceleration, it was announced Wednesday.
With the new investment vehicle, Nyman will be developing new go-to market approaches with strategic and complementary acquisitions. It will be focused on advertising, investing and guiding companies through convergence. Additionally, Acceleration will create a collective of specialty firms so clients can get help quickly and efficiently on branding and marketing.
“The new investment vehicle and advisory will focus on acquiring and building businesses to respond to today’s challenging and opportunistic digital landscape, and the rapidly changing demands of the marketplace,” said Nyman. “Acceleration will be a fresh approach at a time when it is sorely needed. I look forward to getting started.”
Nyman is a 30-year veteran who started his own firm, Bragman Nyman Cafarelli, along with founder Howard Bragman and co-founder Brad Cafarelli in 1991. He then sold it to Interpublic Group of Companies in 2000, taking the company public and expanding it. In 2009, he was asked to lead the merger of PMK and BNC, and within four years, PMK*BNC expanded to 300 employees and doubled its revenue.
“This was a difficult decision to leave,” added Nyman. “I love PMK*BNC and I am so proud of what we have achieved. It truly stands alone. I have great respect and love for Cindi and everyone at the agency, and it will feel like leaving a family.”
Additionally, Nyman served on multiple boards over the past decade. Currently, he is the chairman of the California Film Commission and serves on the Board of Governors at Cedars-Sinai and the Board of Councilors for USC’s Annenberg School of Communications and Journalism.