NEW YORK: Whirlpool is working with Citigate Sard Verbinnen in its quest to acquire Maytag and gain substantial control of the home appliances market.

Steve Duthie, media relations manager for Whirlpool, said that, to his knowledge, this is the first time the company has worked with Sard. The agency did not return a call seeking comment.

John Daggett, director of external communications for Maytag, said that the company was not working with any M&A PR firms, preferring to handle the duties in ...