Highwood Communications of Calgary has expanded its presence in Western Canada with the recent acquisition of 35-year-old Regina shop Cooper Quine & Fraser.

In Saskatchewan, the agency will be known as CQF Highwood. Rick Fraser, one of the five former partners in the Regina agency, is staying on as general manager.

The four other partners have left to operate Arcas Research, which began as a division of cqf and with which Highwood already had a relationship.

Highwood President Barry Styles says buying cqf not only fulfilled Highwood’s regional growth strategy but also the need for Arcas Research to expand unencumbered by ties to one agency.

Styles says over the past 18 months, Highwood has been building its talent base because there is opportunity for a strong regional agency.

Recent staff additions at Highwood include the award-winning creative team of Jeff Lennard, art director, and Steve Williams, copywriter, who are the new co-creative directors of the agency.

The duo previously worked at Fieldstone Marketing & Public Relations and Parallel Strategies, both of Calgary.

Bruce Elliott, former manager of the Alberta General Motors Dealers’ account for MacLaren Supergroup, has signed on as account manager.

In addition, Pat Sullivan, media strategist and previously senior vice-president of the agency, has been named Highwood’s executive vice-president and ceo.

Highwood’s client list includes the 1997 Labatt Brier, agt, Alberta Energy Company, Biomira, Genstar Development Co., Husky Oil Marketing and Royal Lepage Commercial Real Estate Services.

cqf clients include Regina Transit, Tourism Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Institute of Chartered Accountants and Canada/Saskatchewan Business Centre.