Politico says an Ohio-based TV commercial consulting firm called Strategy Group for Media will acquire Missouri-based John Hancock and Associates, a political consulting operation.

Hancock is well known to Missouri political reporters. He was once chairman of the state Republican party, and has been active in its politics for years.

SGM put together the TV ads for Rep. Todd Akin. They included the so-called "the heart I hold" spot, in which the GOP Senate candidate apologized for his statements about "legitimate" rape.

SGM did the ads and coordinated the purchase of TV time. FEC records show Akin's campaign paid Strategic Media Placement, Inc., roughly $3 million in the race against Sen. Claire McCaskill, about half of his spending.

Not all of that money would go to the company. Instead, SGM would use the cash to purchase air time, while taking a cut for itself.