RALEIGH—FWV PubliCom, the holding company created by North Carolina public relations firm Richard French & Associates (RF&A), is acquiring McKibben Marketing, a Williamsburg, Virginia-based travel, tourism and hospitality agency launched by Ed Dreistadt, the former vice president of marketing for Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA.

Dreistadt will fold his agency’s clients—including Colonial Williamsburg’s Education Outreach Initiative; Williamsburg Outlet Mall; the Newport Hospitality Group, a national hotel management firm; and the Williamsburg Hotel & Motel Association—into a newly formed travel, tourism and hospitality practice area within FWV PubliCom’s West & Vaughan Division.

“We had been looking to acquire an agency with strong travel and tourism credentials for some time so when the opportunity to acquire McKibben Marketing and someone with Ed’s background came along, we jumped at the opportunity,” said Rick French, president & CEO of FWV PubliCom.

Dreistadt will be a vice president within West & Vaughan and also manage integrated PR support services provided by RF&A to existing and future travel, tourism and hospitality clients.

“We are looking to expand our footprint nationally and future acquisitions are definitely part of our strategy,” said French.