Vested Acquires Watermark, Strengthening Public Affairs and Regulatory Offering and Growing Washington, D.C. Presence

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vested, the leading financial services communications and marketing agency, today announced the acquisition of Watermark, a Washington, D.C.-based public affairs and special situations firm founded by Zack Condry. The deal formally integrates Watermark’s public affairs, regulatory communications, crisis response, and investor relations capabilities into Vested’s platform and expands the firm’s team and footprint in Washington, D.C.

The deal formally integrates Watermark’s public affairs, regulatory communications, crisis response, and investor relations capabilities into Vested’s platform and expands the firm’s team and footprint in Washington, D.C.

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Condry, who has spent more than 20 years based in Washington and has maintained close relationships across all three branches of the U.S. government, will join Vested as Head of Public Affairs and Special Situations, leading the firm's newly formalized practice in those areas. He will be joined by his full Watermark team, bringing deep experience navigating risk, compliance, regulatory matters, and governance issues, along with matters involving agencies like the SEC, FTC, and CFPB.

The acquisition reflects growing demand among Vested's financial services clients for integrated support at the intersection of communications, policy, and regulation. Financial regulation in the U.S. and globally is intensifying, and regulatory and reputational issues have become board-level concerns, creating demand for outside expertise that most in-house teams and specialist firms are not currently structured to provide.

Amber Roberts, U.S. CEO of Vested, said:
"Financial services companies today are experiencing an increasingly complex regulatory environment and more reputational risk variables than ever before. Our clients are managing headlines while also navigating regulators, investors, and policymakers, often on the same issue. That's exactly the gap Zack and his team fill. Bringing them in-house means our clients get best-in-class expertise and access in Washington precisely when they need it.”

Condry said:
“Vested built something different in financial services communications. It’s a team that doesn’t just understand the industry but also cares about how the financial system works and the people it’s built to serve. Watermark’s work in public affairs and issues management puts us in the middle of some of the highest-stakes moments a company faces, and joining Vested means our team gets to do that at scale, for the biggest brands in financial services.”

Watermark’s current client roster includes top global brands with a combined market cap of $3.1 trillion. The firm’s work spans public and government affairs, crisis and special situations, IPOs, transactions, investor relations, and regulatory advisory. Condry has provided strategic communications counsel to nearly 10% of the current Fortune 100 and 5% of the Fortune 500. Vested CFO Seth Rosenstein led the transaction.

About Vested
Vested is the leading marketing and communications firm at the forefront of the rapidly evolving financial sector. The firm partners with banks, asset managers, fintechs, and private capital firms to build trust, drive growth, and strengthen reputation through integrated marketing, communications, and digital strategies. Vested combines deep industry expertise with execution to deliver measurable business impact.

About Watermark
Watermark is a Washington, D.C.-based public affairs and special situations firm. The firm advises companies and executives navigating high-stakes challenges including crisis response, public affairs, regulatory pressure, and reputational risk. Watermark’s clients include Fortune 100 companies, financial services institutions, and global brands.