72 Point headlines Scots acquisition

Directors of an Edinburgh-based PR firm have sold their business to a larger communications business, 72 Point, for an undisclosed sum.

Emma Miller and Rebecca Smith, co-founders of Liberty & Cole, will head up a new Scottish office for 72 Point.

Sarah Howden, the firm's third founder and a former journalist at The Scotsman, has left to "pursue other interests".

Liberty & Cole was established in 2008 and works with clients including House of Fraser, Lothian Buses, the Rocco Forte Collection and Hamilton & Inches.

72 Point, which is owned by independent news agency, South West News Service, has offices in Bristol, Cambridge, London and Plymouth. The group includes internet research firm, OnePoll.

John Sewell, managing director of 72 Point, said: "We have long been interested in the Scottish market and had been looking for the right time and people to launch here.

"Liberty & Cole had the right clients, contacts and approach for us and we are delighted to have Emma and Rebecca on board as associate directors and look forward to adding to their existing offering with that of 72 Point."

Emma Miller said of the takeover: "For such a young company to have been recognised by a business as well regarded as 72 Point highlights the effort we put into and the successes we achieved with Liberty & Cole, in what was arguably a very challenging economic climate."