Problem Moving Multiple Objects

[Andy Post]

Newbie here, iin over my head, so hope someone can point me in a positive direction.  

I"ve attached screen captures of where I want this to start and end.  

1. I started by creating a tracking point for the O in Micro.
2. Drew the circle and used the pickwick to link it to that Null Object and it tracks just like I expected.
3. I added a bar and positioned it in relaton to the circle and the text.  My thought was that if I link the start point of the bar to the null object, it would move that point the same way its moving the circle and would therefore stretch it along.  But what happens is the start point snaps to, and tracks with the O in Micro.  
   1. I discovered the offset method (I say that like I know what I"m talking about) and adjusted the values until the start point was once again joining the circle.  Again, asusming the tracking would carry it along.  Not so.  It never touches it again.  
4. In the end, the text will come down as well, and the end point needs to track with that.  

Any ideas how to accomplish this?

[Rick Gerard]

If the circle is tracking properly the most efficient thing to do with the text and the line that points to the circle would be to use parenting and simple animation of the text layer. I would use a simple shape layer with a single stroke to generate the line. Then I would select the path and use the Create Nulls From Paths>Points Follow Nulls script to tie the end of a path to some nulls. Then all you have to do is parent the nulls to the layers you want to follow. Here's a project file:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/h010m6ihxnn8vvz/points%20follow%20nulls.aep?dl=0

Here's a screenshot of the setup:

You might also want to rethink the design a bit. I would probably keep the text in one spot.

[Andy Post]

Brilliant.  Like I said...newbie.  So that gives me both something to think about (design change) and a LOT to learn.  But...I have things to learn about that I didn't know existed.  It's very hard, for me at least, too search for a solution when you don't even know the terminology.  Wish me luck.