Merger communications

RATIO Architects Inc. expanded its opportunity to serve businesses in the Southeastern United States in early 2011 through its merger with a Raleigh-based design firm Cherry Huffman. And, it doing so, the firm is closer to its goal to grow to national design firm status. RATIO tapped IronStrike to provide internal communications and marketing support during the merger.

Founded in Indianapolis in 1982, RATIO has a strong reputation in the areas of architecture, preservation, interior design, landscape architecture, urban design and planning, and graphic design. The firm has three studio locations: Indianapolis, Ind.; Champaign, Ill.; and now Raleigh, N.C. As RATIO and Cherry Huffman worked out the transactional details of the merger, IronStrike helped the firm’s 80+ team and the Raleigh business community to understand the rationale and benefits of the merger. IronStrike supported the firm through the following:

  • Developing discussion guide for a strategy session with firm leadership.
  • Building internal communications strategy and marketing strategy, as well as implementation plans. Key focus was on ensuring audiences understood what was changing and not changing with the merger, notably no staff reductions or change in local community giving.
  • Creating key messaging and Frequently Asked Questions for both internal and external audiences.
  • Writing and/or editing a variety of media kit materials and providing counsel for improvements.
  • Making recommendations for advertising buys, writing ad copy, and reviewing ad layout.  RATIO purchased underwriting of National Public Radio station affiliated with the University of North Carolina as well as a series of ads in the Triangle Business Journal.
  • Developed an intranet that launched within one week of the merger announcement.
  • Reviewing communications to clients and key vendors.
  • Supporting the public announcement of the merger in the Indianapolis, Champaign and Raleigh markets through media relations. While IronStrike focused on all of the above, we partnered with Hostetler Public Relations to pitch the story to Indianapolis, Champaign and Raleigh news media.

While the transition of internal cultures continues, informal feedback from employees regarding the merger and the communications surrounding it has been positive. The firm continues to identify opportunities for employee team building and collaboration to, in turn, bring all RATIO resources to bear for clients. RATIO anticipates conducting employee and client research in 2011 to better assess perceptions and outcomes. The firm also continues to build relationships with the North Carolina business community.