Hub PR powerhouse splitting up
Rasky Baerlein partners describe move as amicable
One of Boston’s most powerful business partnerships — at the center of some of the biggest political and corporate dramas of the past two decades — is breaking up.
Larry Rasky and Joseph Baerlein, whose lobbying and public relations firm helped John Henry land the Red Sox and steered the Catholic Church through its clergy sex abuse scandal, have officially called it quits.
Rasky, an influential figure in Massachusetts politics, confirmed he has bought out Baerlein and another partner, Ann Carter, who are both leaving to start their own ventures.
The former partners told the Herald in a joint interview that the breakup was amicable, despite rumors in Boston’s business world that longtime friction between the two was contributing to a split.
“It’s not a divorce. It’s a business agreement, It’s a buyout,” Rasky said.
But other public relations executives said it was no secret that Rasky’s lowkey style often clashed with the flashier Baerlein.
“Larry Rasky is a great guy and he got involved in a bad marriage,” said George Regan, head of Regan Communications and a longtime competitor of Rasky Baerlein.
Rasky’s new firm, which will be called Rasky Partners, will be keeping all its current clients and all of its nearly 50 employees in offices in Boston and Washington, according to Rasky.
“The clients decide,” he said.
Baerlein said his new firm, Baerlein & Partners, will be focusing on his longtime interests, which have included representing groups in numerous successful ballot campaigns. Carter is also launching her own firm, AC Communications Partners.
Rasky and the others declined to talk about the financial terms of the deal or any disputes they have had, saying it was time to move on to new ventures while the firm was stable and riding high.
“We always tell our clients we’re in the business of keeping secrets and that starts with us,” said Rasky, who has been a close adviser and friend to former Vice President Joe Biden and represented Democrats ranging from Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh to U.S. Sen. Edward Markey. “If you’re in a business partnership and not disagreeing about things, you’re not really in business.”
Baerlein, who like Rasky got his start in Democratic politics in the 1980s as campaign manager for former Lt. Gov. Evelyn Murphy, said “it was a day to celebrate” all the firm’s accomplishments.
“I’m going to pick my spots on work that I’m interested in,” he said.
Rasky Baerlein was in the middle of numerous high profile PR battles, including helping guide the Boston Archdiocese through the clergy abuse scandal; representing the Suffolk University board of trustees during its nasty fight with former President Margaret McKenna, and representing Henry, Larry Lucchino and Tom Werner in their successful bid for the Boston Red Sox.
The firm, led by another partner, Justine Griffin, also worked for supermarket magnate Arthur T. Demoulas in his longtime family feud that ended with Artie T. getting control of the Market Basket stores.
“By all accounts (we) beat the other side to a pulp,” Baerlein said.
The firm also had less successful clients. It signed up last year to represent the ill-fated Boston Grand Prix IndyCar race, which fell apart and whose former CEO is now facing numerous lawsuits.