North Texas’ TrailRunner International To Be Acquired by PPHC for $33M

TrailRunner, a Southlake-based strategy and communications advisory firm, will add more than 80 full-time professionals across eight global offices to PPHC's network, strengthening the Washington, D.C.-based firm's offerings in fields including sports and financial communications.

TrailRunner International, a Southlake-based strategy and communications advisory firm, has agreed to be acquired by public affairs and government relations group Public Policy Holding Company Inc., for $33 million. Washington, D.C.-based PPHC said the acquisition would mark “a major expansion of its capabilities into strategic and financial communications.”

The deal, set to close by April 1, represents PPHC’s fifth significant acquisition since its 2021 IPO. 

“Today’s global megatrend in our business is the collision of critical practice areas, including corporate reputation, government relations, finance, crisis, litigation, and sports,” Jim Wilkinson, executive chairman of TrailRunner International, said in a statement, “and I can think of no better strategic growth partner to capitalize on it than PPHC.”  

Earlier this month, TrailRunner announced a dozen leadership moves in response to its recent growth.

TrailRunner, founded in 2016, will add more than 80 full-time professionals across eight global offices to PPHC’s network on the deal’s closing.

The acquisition stands to significantly expand PPHC’s footprint with new offices in high-growth U.S. markets, including Dallas-Fort Worth; Nashville, Tennessee; and New York City. It also expands PPHC’s existing presence in Northern California and London, while establishing key new capabilities in Shanghai, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai.

PPHC said that TrailRunner will strengthen its offerings in corporate affairs, financial communications, litigation communications, crisis management, and sports.

In December 2023, TrailRunner and global premium experiences company Legends announced the formation of TrailRunner Sports, a new joint venture.

TrailRunner’s lengthy roster of clients adds to PPHC’s portfolio of more than 1,200 corporate clients, including nearly half the Fortune 500 as well as  leading trade organizations, nonprofit institutions, and government entities.

Acquisition ‘marks a transformational moment’

“The acquisition of TrailRunner marks a transformational moment for PPHC, as we simultaneously deepen our U.S. position and establish ourselves as a truly global strategic communications group,” PPHC CEO Stewart Hall said in a statement. “This expansion significantly advances our strategy of building the world’s most comprehensive provider of government relations and corporate communications services.”

Jim Hughes, CEO of TrailRunner International, said the company is excited about the opportunity to accelerate its growth as part of the PPHC family of companies.

“From our very first conversations with Stewart and the PPHC team, it’s been clear that there is very strong alignment between our cultures and our shared vision for the long-term opportunity in corporate advisory for firms that are truly committed to the success of their clients,” Hughes said in a statement.

“TrailRunner’s robust capabilities across strategic communications complement PPHC’s strong offerings across government relations, public affairs, and public policy, and we are eager to join forces with PPHC to help even more clients around the world build and maintain the stakeholder support they need to achieve their business objectives.”

TrailRunner’s exclusive financial advisor in the transaction was GP Bullhound, a technology advisory and investment firm.  

PPHC, founded in 2014, provides comprehensive solutions for organizations navigating complex policy and communications challenges. For five years in a row, PPHC has been recognized by legal disclosures as the largest provider of U.S. federal and state lobbying, and has expanded its services into the areas of public affairs, research, and grassroots campaigning in the U.S. and internationally.

With the addition of TrailRunner, PPHC would operate through 11 subsidiaries globally.


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