WASHINGTON--Purple Strategies, a public affairs firm, is expanding to Chicago, adding to its team Chris Mather, the former communications chief for Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

The bi-partisan Purple Strategies is headquartered in Alexandria, Va., a Washington suburb with a branch in Houston; Mather will open the Chicago office.

Mather, who left City Hall in December, is a veteran of national and Illinois campaigns and was communications director for Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack before joining the Emanuel administration.

Purple has a footprint in the Chicago area, working with United Airlines, McDonalds and BP. A subsidiary of the company, Citizen2, which specializes in branding --Coca Cola is a client--already has a Chicago presence, staffed with three alums from Leo Burnett, the advertising agency.

Purple is a fast growing public affairs firm. Its founders include Democrat Steve McMahon and Republican Alex Castellanos, who are also familiar faces on television; Castellanos is a CNN contributor and McMahon is a frequent guest on a variety of political shows.

"Chris offered us a wonderful opportunity to expand and extend our line in Chicago, our brand in Chicago," said McMahon.

"...Her experience is perfect. She has deep connections throughout the city and Mayor Emanuel told me she would be an unbelievably good hire," said McMahon who has known Emanuel for some 25 years.

Emanuel said in a statement, "This is a big win for Purple Strategies. Chris was one of my first hires as Mayor and I know first-hand what she can do and the talent she brings. Her experience across the city makes her an invaluable asset and any client would be lucky to have her at the table."