Southwest Strategies, LLC, a leading public outreach firm serving clients in government and the private sector, recently acquired Kiterocket, LLC, a national public relations and marketing agency, under GHJ’s guidance.

Backed by private equity investor Palladium Equity Partners, LLC, Southwest Strategies Group comprises respected brands including Southwest Strategies, Katz & Associates, BergDavis Public Affairs and Collaborate. With nearly 100 public outreach and affairs professionals across every major market in California, the firm helps clients shape the future of their communities through strategic communication and public engagement.

Kiterocket brings a strong national presence and deep expertise in technology and sustainability sectors, with offices in Phoenix and Seattle. The firm offers integrated brand strategy, media relations, digital marketing, social media, events, editorial and content production to help brands advance innovation and global impact.

“We were proud to support Southwest Strategies in this dynamic transaction,” said Mary Grace Doggett, a member of GHJ’s TAS Practice. “Combining regional leadership with national communications expertise will grow Southwest Strategies’ platform to serve a broader client base and unlock long-term value.” 

GHJ’s Transaction Advisory Services (TAS) Practice provided buy-side support to Southwest Strategies Group, including in-depth financial due diligence, Quality of Earnings analysis and working capital review. GHJ collaborated closely with Palladium Equity Partners to help drive the transaction to a successful close.

The acquisition further positions Southwest Strategies Group as a leading communications agency with the scale, depth and specialization to meet evolving client needs across industries and geographies.

“This acquisition is a great example of how thoughtful partnerships can drive strategic growth,” said David Sutton, GHJ’s TAS Practice leader. “We were honored to help Southwest Strategies and Palladium Equity with this expansion and strengthen their position as a leading force in communications and public affairs.”

The transaction closed on July 7, 2025. GHJ’s TAS Practice provides comprehensive support for buy-side and sell-side transactions with enterprise values ranging from $10 million to $3 billion, focused on delivering due diligence, valuation, deal structuring and integration guidance. To learn more about how GHJ supports strategic growth through M&A transactions, contact GHJ’s TAS Practice.