RALEIGH, NC—Ketchum has acquired North Carolina-based Capstrat, one of the leading independent public relations and public affairs firms in the Southern United States, where Ketchum has existing offices in Atlanta, Dallas and Miami.

Capstrat’s corporate public affairs offering will join Ketchum’s international public affairs network, which currently has centers in Washington, DC, New York, London, Brussels, Madrid, Berlin, Rome, Moscow, Mumbai and Hong Kong. Capstrat also has strength in the healthcare, energy and technology sectors and in creative, social media and analytics.

Capstrat will continue operating under its current brand, led by CEO and founder Ken Eudy, as part of Ketchum’s North American operations. In addition to Eudy, Capstrat’s executive management team includes the firm’s president, Karen Albritton; Todd Coats, chief creative officer; and Debbie Reed, CFO.

Says Eudy: “This is an exciting time for Capstrat. I see great potential for our clients and colleagues as we become part of the Ketchum network. Our stakeholders will benefit from the depth of talent, extraordinary commitment to employee development, and broad geographic reach that Ketchum offers.”