Jacksonville-based Dalton Agency announced Tuesday it merged with Nashville-based Bill Hudson Agency.
The Hudson agency has become DaltonHudson in the Nashville market. The name remains Dalton Agency in Jacksonville, Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa, Savannah and Charleston and Myrtle Beach.
Michael Munz, Dalton partner and president of P.R. and social media, said today that terms of the merger will not be disclosed because both agencies are privately held.
In a news release, Dalton Agency said the merger boosts its staff to more than 100 employees and increases its presence to seven Southeastern offices.
Dalton Agency said the Hudson agency has operated in Nashville for 54 years and is best known for its marketing support of 236 McDonald’s restaurants in four key areas in the South.
Dalton Agency, formed more than 25 years ago, was named Advertising Age Magazine’s Small Agency of the Year in the Southeast in 2015.
It has been expanding through mergers. In 2012, it acquired Kilgannon in Atlanta followed by Ant Hill public relations.
Its clients include McDonald’s and other national brands. The release said its clients include quick-service restaurants, real estate, travel and tourism, economic development, health care and financial technology.
The release said the merger “establishes unparalleled expertise and knowledge not only for McDonald’s but also for the complete client base.”
Steve Travis, Bill Hudson president, said Dalton Agency’s knowledge of the market, experience with McDonalds and sharing of key principles “will lead to a successful merger of our two companies.”
Dalton Agency CEO Jim Dalton said the firm can serve both as a boutique agency for entrepreneurial clients and also partner with leading international brands.