Press Room Item
Lambert, Edwards & Associates Acquires Straightline Public Relations
26 May 05
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., May 26, 2006 – Lambert, Edwards & Associates, Inc. (LE&A), a leading Michigan-based public relations agency and the largest investor relations firm in the state, today announced the acquisition of Grand Rapids-based Straightline Public Relations, one of West Michigan’s top-ranked public relations firms.
The acquisition brings LE&A’s account roster to more than 75 publicly traded and privately held clients across 12 states. Straightline president Peggy Howard joins LE&A as managing director, reporting to LE&A president and managing partner Jeff Lambert. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The addition of the Straightline team further augments a number of LE&A’s key established practice areas, including retail/consumer products and health care. Since its founding in 1996, Straightline has built a strong reputation for its creative program execution and strategic client counsel in these and other industry sectors, including automotive and manufacturing, food and beverage, contract furniture, and sports marketing.
“We’re building one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic agency environments in the Midwest, and this acquisition only accelerates our momentum,” said Lambert. “Our vision is to be the firm of choice for staff and clients, and we’re pleased to welcome a proven team of professionals and a number of important new client partnerships.”
Peggy Howard added: “The Straightline team is looking forward to combining its distinctive expertise in the consumer PR arena with the larger resources of LE&A. The most immediate and direct result of this combination is greatly increased client value, and we’re excited to bring our two organizations together.”
The acquisition of Straightline is the latest milestone in LE&A’s sustained growth trajectory. Since its founding in 1998, LE&A has become Michigan’s largest investor relations firm and a leading PR firm, offering a broad range of public relations services to its clients across multiple industry sectors. LE&A has posted double-digit revenue growth for the past five years, closing 2004 with a 17 percent increase, and this month expanded its office space in downtown Grand Rapids by more than 75 percent. The firm’s new offices will accommodate both the addition of Straightline’s staff and LE&A’s anticipated future growth. LE&A is also currently engaged in a strategic recruitment effort that continues to attract senior industry talent to the firm from major national business markets.
Prior to its acquisition by LE&A, Straightline functioned as public relations partner to Hanon McKendry/The Brand Consultants, a leading Midwest advertising, marketing and brand-consulting firm. LE&A expects to explore continued opportunities for leveraging this relationship for the benefit of its clients.
About Lambert, Edwards & Associates
Founded in 1998, Lambert, Edwards & Associates, Inc. (www.lambert-edwards.com) is Michigan’s largest investor relations firm and one of the top independent public relations firms in the Midwest. Based in Grand Rapids, LE&A provides strategic counsel to publicly traded and privately held companies throughout the United States. The firm’s industry sector focus includes business and financial services, health care, manufacturing, consumer products, retail, technology and entertainment.
