Patino Associates and VMA Group Form Alliance

May 27, 2010 – Patino Associates, an executive search firm specializing in the corporate communications, public affairs, investor relations and marketing functions, has signed an affiliate partnership agreement corporate communications-focused recruitment consultancy firm VMA Group. The alliance creates one of the largest global practices focused on the recruitment and placement of corporate communications professionals with consultants in Washington, D.C., London, Manchester and Brussels, with the goal of establishing operations across Europe, the Far East, Middle East and Australia over the next three years. Michael Patino founded Patino Associates in 2008 and currently serves a number of Fortune 500 companies. Having conducted senior-level searches on a national basis for a decade, Mr. Patino previously re-launched the corporate communications practice for Russell Reynolds Associates. He also was with Spencer Stuart prior to founding his own firm. With over 30 years in the search business, VMA Group is a specialist recruitment consultancy for the public relations, corporate communications and investor relations professions. "It was important to us that we found a partner whose knowledge of the marketplace and commitment to excellence in the strategy and execution of the search process rivaled our own," said Oskar Yasar, managing director, VMA International. "We feel that Michael and his team at Patino Associates bring the knowledge, experience and pedigree that will be valued and sought after by our clients. We look forward to a long and productive alliance."