Nikki Parker's LA-basedpublicity outfit Denmead Marketing has merged with public relations companyRogers & Cowan in a deal announced yesterday (8).

Effective immediately,Parker becomes executive vice president of Rogers & Cowan and will team upwith Rogers & Cowan's executive vice president of worldwide film publicityand marketing Michael Dalling, whose clients include film producers, directorsand film organisations based in Europe, Asia and the US.

Denmead publicists DennisDembia and Schalah Mitchell move with Parker to Rogers & Cowan's WestHollywood offices along with Denmead's existing client roster, which includesGraham King's Initial Entertainment Group, Senator International, and Japan'sShochiku.

"Nikki is a highly respectedprofessional in our industry and we are delighted that she and her company arebecoming part of Rogers & Cowan," Rogers & Cowan chief executiveofficer Tom Tardio said in a statement.

"The reputation she hasdeveloped and the quality of resources she has built will accelerate ourexpansion into the independent film and television marketplaces.

"With our New York motionpicture group headed by Teri Kane and Julie Polkes in Los Angeles, Rogers &Cowan has established one of the most comprehensive and talented teams tocapitalise on the growth of the film and television industry domestically andworldwide."

In a statement Parker added:"After thirteen years, it is time to relinquish the responsibilities of runninga small independent publicity company, although I'm very proud of our manyaccomplishments and proud of building Denmead into an operation which attractedRogers and Cowan to take us on.

"Both my staff and I arevery excited about joining the team at Rogers & Cowan. Tom and Michael havebeen extremely welcoming and we are very much looking forward to working withthem."

Parker founded Denmead in1991 and has gone on to develop prestigious ties with leading independent filmand television producers, directors, talent, worldwide sales and distributioncompanies as well as domestic film distributors and broadcasters overseas.

It has orchestratedinternational publicity campaigns for Gangs Of New York and Traffic, among others.

Rogers & Cowan hasoffices in Los Angeles, New York and London and handles a wide range ofentertainment clients covering production and distribution companies, videogamepublishers and distributors, cable and network TV, digital media companies,record labels and recording artists, and celebrities and athletes.