GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. and ATLANTA, Nov. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Lambert Edwards & Associates, Inc. (LE&A), one of the Midwest’s leading public relations firms and a top-15 IR firm nationally, today announced it has acquired Atlanta-based IR Squared, an investor relations firm with a roster of national public company clients. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

As part of the acquisition, IR Squared principal Robert Burton has joined Lambert Edwards as Managing Director and head of the firm’s Financial Communications practice. Burton is a 30-year veteran of investor relations and corporate communications as well as a former journalist. Prior to founding IR Squared in 2003, he headed investor relations departments at five NYSE-listed companies with market capitalizations from $500 million to over $100 billion, including Home Depot, Kmart, U.S. Shoe, Penn Central and Insilco Corporation.

LE&A said it will integrate the IR Squared client base, its investor outreach process and database, and the firm’s brand under the Lambert Edwards banner. LE&A, which has grown for 12 consecutive years, is an integrated public relations, investor relations and public affairs firm with clients based in 20 states and five countries. The addition of IR Squared marks LE&A’s fourth acquisition and second in the investor relations vertical. LE&A announced a strategic initiative in early 2009 to pursue mergers and acquisitions aimed at complementing its current geography and service offerings, while adding key talent and national growth potential.

“Our two firms are a great complement in terms of experience, client base and geography,” said Jeff Lambert, president and managing partner of LE&A. “Bob has built a national reputation in the investor relations arena, both as a corporate IR officer and as a consultant. His background, particularly with large- and mid-cap companies and consumer and retail businesses, will be a terrific addition to our existing business base. I expect that Bob’s focus on investor relations will broaden our client list, add expertise to our offering, and extend our geographic reach further into the southeast.”

IR Squared is a full-service investor relations agency serving small- to large-cap clients with strategic counsel and tactical expertise in targeting and relationship management with analysts, portfolio managers, bondholders, creditors and the financial media. The firm also provides management and board consulting on corporate challenges ranging from mergers and acquisitions to initial public offerings, turnarounds, divestitures, shareholder proxy fights and other crisis management issues.

Bob Burton added: “This combination with LE&A is a great opportunity to bring additional resources in communications and public relations to existing IR Squared clients as well as build on the growing list of LE&A investor relations clients. I’m excited to be joining a firm with national reach, deep resources and a great commitment to client service. This was the perfect opportunity for me to be a player-coach and take my practice to a higher level.”

About IR Squared

Founded in 2003, IR Squared offers investor relations services focusing on corporate strategy, brand building, disclosure and compliance, crisis communications, and investor relations infrastructure. Current and past clients include NYSE and Nasdaq listed companies with market capitalizations from $150 million to $200 billion as well as companies in the pre-IPO process.

Founder Bob Burton has nearly 30 years of experience in investor relations and corporate communications. From 1983 to 2003, he headed investor relations departments at five NYSE-listed companies. His background includes a focus in retailing (hardlines, general merchandise, apparel, footwear and optical) as well as experience in insurance, manufacturing, rental services, travel, defense, energy, housing, and technology businesses.

About Lambert, Edwards & Associates

Named the 2010 PRWeek and PRNews Small Firm of the Year, LE&A (www.lambert-edwards.com) is a top-10 Midwest-based PR firm and a top-20 investor relations firm nationally with clients based in 20 states and five countries. LE&A also won Bulldog Reporter’s “Best Integration of PR and IR” award in 2011, reflecting its integrated approach on both the PR and IR fronts. LE&A serves middle-market companies and national brands in five practice areas: Automotive, Consumer, Financial Communications, Health Care and Public Affairs. LE&A has posted 12 consecutive years of growth and earned four Silver Anvil awards – the profession’s highest honor – in the past five years. Follow us on Twitter: @LambertEdwards.

SOURCE Lambert, Edwards & Associates