Alterian has acquired Intrepid, an international market research and social media analytics consultancy.

The acquisition further strengthens Alterian's market leadership position in social media marketing, and its application to the mainstream marketing mix.

Intrepid is a consulting business with a heavy focus on providing insights using social media data, enabling social media to be integrated as a core element of mainstream marketing.

The acquisition of Intrepid allows Alterian to expand its support for clients and partners in the area of social media marketing. Alterian has seen growing demand from brands and partners for packaged social media solutions that include best practices, services and software, delivering benefit even where the partner or brand does not have the in-house staff to use the software and generate insights directly.

Alterian CEO, David Eldridge, says: "With the explosion of social media, many brands are well aware of the need to harness this exciting new channel as a key and integral part of their marketing mix. However, a large proportion do not yet have the necessary in-house skills to use social media analytics to best effect.

“The addition of Intrepid into the Alterian portfolio gives our partners and customers access to an extremely talented group of people with a deep track record in social media analytics and market research."