Northlich, a communications and brand consulting firm with 180 employees in downtown Cincinnati and Columbus, Friday agreed to buy Bridge Integrated Communications, a downtown advertising agency.

        The purchase price was not announced, and officials would not say whether layoffs would occur. “The only thing I'm commenting on is we've signed a letter of intent,” said Julia Arosteguy, vice president, group supervisor at Northlich.

        Northlich, ranked in the top 100 communications firms in the United States, posted revenues in 2000 of $22 million, said Rick Miller, executive vice president.
       

Cable maker wins $120M contract

               General Cable Corp., the Highland Heights cable and fiber-optic wire manufacturer, said it has won a contract valued at more than $120 million over three years to supply all of Xcel Energy Inc.'s distribution wire and cable. Xcel has revenues of nearly $7 billion.
       

Midland boosts annual dividend

               The Midland Co. has raised its annual dividend 7 percent, to 32 cents a share from 30 cents.

        The specialty insurer said its next quarterly dividend, payable April 16 to shareholders of record March 12, will be 8 cents instead of 7.5 cents a share.

        Midland also plans to buy back another 500,000 shares of its stock after recently completing a similar repurchase plan.
       

Frost Brown adds to practice

               Frost Brown Todd LLC has acquired the estate and trust practice of HargroveBaker PSC in Lexington. Frost Brown Todd was formed last year by the merger of Cincinnati-based Frost & Jacobs and Louisville-based Brown, Todd & Heyburn. The HargroveBaker deal brings four attorneys, two accountants and several other staff members.

        — From staff reports

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