Newcastle Marketing Firm Ramarketing Acquires US-Based ISR Market Research
In a strategic move to bolster its presence across the Atlantic, Newcastle-based marketing agency ramarketing has completed the acquisition of ISR Market Research, a specialist firm located in North Carolina's Research Triangle Park. The financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, but the acquisition marks a significant step in ramarketing's expansion into the North American market.
Strengthening North American Footprint
Ramarketing, which operates from its head office in Newcastle city centre, provides comprehensive strategy, marketing, communications, and creative support to pharmaceutical services and outsourcing organisations throughout Europe and North America. This acquisition follows a period of steady growth for the company and now extends its international reach significantly.
Directors have highlighted that the deal solidifies ramarketing's North American operations while integrating specialist market intelligence with strategic marketing activation. ISR Market Research is renowned for its syndicated and custom market research services tailored to the pharmaceutical outsourcing sector, including Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisations (CDMOs) and Contract and Clinical Research Organisations (CROs).
Preserving Identity and Leadership
As part of the transaction, ISR will maintain its brand identity, organisational structure, and leadership team. Kate Hammeke will continue in her role as CEO of ISR, ensuring continuity for clients and staff. Emma Banks, group CEO at ramarketing, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating that ISR adds practical, client-led depth to their commercial offerings.
"ISR enhances our ability to help clients make informed growth decisions by keeping insight, strategy, and execution closely aligned," Banks said. "Their research connects us directly with thousands of pharma and biotech buyers, creating a powerful evidence database for better strategic decisions. This is a capability-led investment, not a structural overhaul, allowing ISR to retain its research integrity while accessing broader commercial support."
Expanding Impact Without Compromise
Kate Hammeke, CEO of ISR, emphasised that the acquisition enables her firm to extend the impact of its rigorous primary research without altering its core methodologies or client relationships. "Being part of ramarketing allows us to provide stronger support as clients translate research into commercial decisions, while our team and approach remain unchanged," she explained.
Liam May from ramarketing's investment partner, NorthEdge, added that this acquisition reinforces the group's position as a leading, data-driven commercial partner for life sciences clients globally. "It strengthens evidence-led decision-making across the pharma services market and focuses on building differentiated capability," he noted.
The transaction was advised by Alvarez & Marsal as corporate finance adviser, alongside Cortus for financial matters, and Addleshaw Goddard and Rich May for UK and US legal aspects. This move underscores ramarketing's commitment to growth and innovation in the competitive life sciences marketing sector.
