Marketing & Advertising Acquisitions in 2023

MyHome, the marketing and technology subsidiary of Williston Financial Group (WFG), has acquired Volly, a provider of marketing automation and creative services for banks, credit unions, and mortgage lenders. The deal expands MyHome's lead generation, conversion, and retention capabilities for mortgage and real estate lenders and brings Volly's services into WFG Enterprise Solutions.

The Riverside Company, a global private equity firm, has completed an investment in the parent company of Impact XM, a full-service experiential marketing and event production agency. Riverside said the partnership will accelerate Impact XM’s domestic and international growth and expand its capabilities across live events, corporate activations and brand experiences.

Monotype has acquired London-based Colophon Foundry, an award-winning type foundry known for bespoke type design and a library of 85 type families. The small Colophon team of eight will join Monotype to broaden its creative capabilities and expand Monotype's premium type offerings for global brands and design platforms.

Power Digital, a tech-enabled growth marketing firm, has acquired Endrock Growth and Analytics, a CRO and data analytics agency with offices in the United States, Medellín, Cartagena and Quito. Endrock founder Ned MacPherson will join Power Digital as Chief Growth Officer as the firm integrates Endrock’s CRO, experimentation and analytics capabilities to expand Power Digital’s data-intelligence and conversion optimization offerings.

CarData Inc. has acquired Michigan-based AutoNetTools to expand its automotive photography, videography and window sticker capabilities. The acquisition adds AutoNetTools' specialized merchandising and marketing services to CarData's existing suite of dealer-focused advertising products.

The Bluebird Group, a Minneapolis-based omni-channel commerce agency, has acquired OneStone Solutions Group, a retail media and Amazon/Walmart services provider with offices in Bentonville, Arkansas and Denver, Colorado. The acquisition adds OneStone's Amazon account management, retail media advertising and creative capabilities to Bluebird's omni-channel offering to accelerate eCommerce and retail .com services for brand clients.

Concentric Equity Partners (CEP) has made a growth investment in Infusion Marketing Group, a Memphis-based provider of data-driven analytics and marketing services for community banks and credit unions. Infusion's co-founder and CEO Tim Keith will remain in leadership and retain a significant ownership stake as CEP partners to help the company scale and leverage CEP's banking industry network; terms were not disclosed.

Volaris Group Inc. has acquired Delacon, an Australian provider of call tracking, call management and speech analytics solutions. Delacon will operate independently under CEO Michael Center and join Volaris' marketing management portfolio to expand capabilities in marketing analytics and call attribution.

Cohere Capital has acquired Phaedon, the former U.S. Commercial Engagement division of ICF Next/ICF International, creating a standalone, technology-enabled digital engagement and loyalty business. Graycliff Partners provided a unitranche debt financing and equity co-investment to support the deal, with Brookside Capital Partners investing alongside Graycliff.

PMG has acquired UK-based RocketMill, a full-service digital marketing agency with ~200 employees across offices in Brighton and London. The acquisition is PMG's first in Europe and expands its creative, media, customer experience, data and technology capabilities while boosting its London footprint; terms were not disclosed.

IZEA Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: IZEA) acquired Zuberance, an advocate marketing software platform that helps brands build white-label advocate communities and generate user-generated content and referrals. The deal expands IZEA's marketing technology suite by adding customer advocacy capabilities that integrate with e-commerce platforms and Salesforce, complementing its influencer marketing offerings.

Ignite Visibility has acquired Integrated Digital Strategies (IDS), an Orlando-based digital marketing agency focused on franchisor/franchisee marketing, to strengthen Ignite's national-to-local franchise marketing capabilities. The deal — Ignite's first since partnering with Mountaingate Capital in February 2023 — was supported by financing from Capital Southwest Corporation and advised by Lakeside Partners and Karr Tuttle Campbell for IDS.

AmatoMartin, a privately held investment holding company, has acquired Valpak from Platinum Equity. Valpak, based in St. Petersburg, Florida, is an omnichannel direct mail and digital advertising provider that will join AmatoMartin’s portfolio alongside Clipper Magazine.

Phoenix-based integrated marketing firm Off Madison Ave has acquired Boston-area public relations agency CGPR from French/West/Vaughan (FWV). The acquisition expands Off Madison Ave’s capabilities in travel, outdoor recreation and active-lifestyle PR, with CGPR continuing to operate as a division under founder Chris Goddard.

O2 Investment Partners, through its portfolio company BerlinRosen Holdings, has invested in and partnered with Message Lab, a content, data and analytics agency led by founder and CEO Ben Worthen. The deal will integrate Message Lab's editorial and content-intelligence capabilities into the BerlinRosen platform to expand its communications, content and analytics offering; terms were not disclosed.

The Futurum Group, a global tech advisory, research, intelligence, and media firm based in Austin, Texas, has acquired LuccaZara, a San Jose–based tech marketing and content production agency founded by Lisa Martin. The acquisition expands Futurum's media and content capabilities—LuccaZara's founder will join Futurum to produce and host event and onsite shows as Futurum scales its B2B research-led content platform.

thunder::tech, a Cleveland-based full-service marketing agency, has acquired Silent Partners Media Group, a New York City–founded digital design, development and production agency. The deal brings additional creative, UX and technical digital capabilities and middle-market/enterprise clients (including Scott's Miracle-Gro) into thunder::tech to accelerate capability and client-roster expansion.

Truelink Capital has acquired Ansira, a global marketing technology and services company known for its channel, website and advertising platforms. The acquisition provides Truelink a platform to accelerate Ansira's growth, expand its proprietary tech and services offerings, and pursue future strategic acquisitions.

Ariel Alternatives' fund Project Black has acquired a 58.5% stake in My Code at an enterprise valuation of $400 million. The majority investment — from existing shareholders including Falfurrias Capital Partners, My Code management and employees, and other investors — will support My Code's growth as a scaled multicultural marketing and media supplier to Fortune 500 clients.

White Glove and TouchFuse (including LeadJig, Prospectix and Acquire Direct) have merged to form a combined, full-service omni-channel marketing services company focused on financial advisors. The combined company will be led by White Glove CEO Greg Bogich (CEO) and TouchFuse CEO Alexander Hug (President/COO), and White Glove is backed by Rockbridge Growth Equity; financial terms were not disclosed.

STAR Group, a Minneapolis-based experiential marketing and exhibits company, has acquired Exhibit Edge, an experiential marketing and exhibit firm headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia. The deal expands STAR Group's geographic footprint in the Northeast and augments its exhibit design, fabrication and event capabilities to better serve defense, pharmaceutical and other key clients.

ICP, a global content operations strategy and services leader backed by NorthEdge, has acquired Team 6ix, a UK-based martech and content operations consulting firm. The bolt-on purchase expands ICP's capabilities and client roster in marketing technology, content operations and automation, and will see Team 6ix's leadership join ICP's management as operations are integrated.

FGS Global has acquired Longview Communications and Public Affairs, a leading Canadian corporate communications and public affairs firm, and will operate the business as FGS Longview. The deal expands FGS's footprint in Canada—adding a team of over 30 professionals across multiple Canadian offices—and strengthens its capabilities in corporate & financial communications, public affairs, crisis management and government relations.

Sponsor Capital has agreed to acquire Fonecta (including group companies OIKIO, 020202 Palvelut, 02 Taksi and 020202 Solutions) from funds advised by Triton. Terms were not disclosed; the transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and Fonecta's management will remain in place and invest in the business.

Spectrum Science has acquired healthcare advertising agency CrowdPharm and partner consultancy Hot Iron Health to establish a new advertising and consulting pillar and expand its promotional engagement capabilities. The deal — Spectrum's first since completing a strategic partnership with PE firm Knox Lane — brings CrowdPharm's global talent network and HIH's strategic advisory capabilities into Spectrum's integrated healthcare marketing platform; financial terms were not disclosed.

EventLink, a portfolio company of Fort Point Capital, has acquired Clamor, an award-winning experiential and strategic marketing agency based in Minneapolis. The add-on expands EventLink's mobile tour and experiential capabilities, bringing additional scale, creative talent, and national reach to its services.

Moss Inc., a global producer of premium graphics and branded-experience installations, has acquired UK-based MacroArt. The acquisition (terms undisclosed) expands Moss's European footprint and production capacity, with MacroArt's management — led by Managing Director Michael Green — remaining in place and reporting to Moss CEO Jason Popp.

Chicago-based Sales Empowerment Group (SEG), a portfolio company of RFE Investment Partners, has acquired Philadelphia-based Square 2 Marketing. The deal expands SEG's marketing capabilities—adding Square 2's HubSpot expertise, demand-generation services and its Accelerator Program—to create a full "click to close" revenue generation offering for SEG clients and private equity portfolio companies.

DealerOn, a provider of websites and marketing technology for automotive dealerships, has acquired fusionZONE Automotive to expand its platform and technology offerings. The deal brings fusionZONE’s customers and employees into the DealerOn family; TD Cowen served as exclusive financial advisor to fusionZONE.

RTC Partners completed strategic growth investments in four North American marketing and sales services firms — fama PR, Intelisent, MarketBridge, and Quarry — to form an integrated, data-driven marketing services platform. The combined platform will deliver strategy, analytics, demand generation, PR and marketing-effectiveness capabilities backed by RTC Partners to scale go-to-market execution for enterprise clients.

Presidio Investors purchased a majority stake in Almaden, a Santa Clara, California-based marketing supply chain services firm that provides promotional products, signage, print, packaging and direct marketing. Presidio said it will support Almaden's growth through geographic expansion, additional investments in the company's technology platform and pursuit of strategic acquisition opportunities.

underdog & company, a NewSpring Holdings‑backed marketing and brand experience firm, has acquired Altius Sports Partners, a collegiate athletics advisory and NIL services provider. Playfly Sports sold its minority stake as part of the deal; the acquisition is positioned as an add‑on to underdog's growing platform to expand capabilities across college athletics, NIL programs, and brand campaigns.

Stagwell has acquired Movers+Shakers, the socially-native creative agency known for TikTok-driven campaigns and cultural marketing. The agency will join Stagwell's Constellation network, expanding Stagwell's social-first creative capabilities and client offerings; terms were not disclosed.

FINN Partners has acquired C. Blohm & Associates, Inc. (CB&A), a 12-person Midwest PR and content marketing agency focused on B2B education and edtech. CB&A will operate as CB&A, A FINN Partners Company with founder Charlene Blohm and leader Emily Embury joining FINN's Midwest management team to deepen the firm's education and B2B tech capabilities and expand FINN's Midwest footprint.

TBA Worldwide, a growing network of data-driven advertising agencies anchored by Brandon, has acquired Joybyte, a Scottsdale-based social media and influencer marketing agency focused on DTC/eCommerce brands. Joybyte will operate as a standalone agency from its Scottsdale office while leveraging TBA Worldwide’s network, leadership and capital to accelerate growth and expand social media capabilities across the platform.

Isovera, a full-service digital creative agency, has acquired The Boston Group (TBG), a global marketing communications firm, to combine capabilities and expand service offerings for B2B and B2G clients. The deal will double Isovera's size and broaden its expertise across sectors including aerospace & defense, government, healthcare, financial services and utilities to deliver integrated digital and brand communications services.

Accenture Song, the creative unit of Accenture, has acquired ConcentricLife, a healthcare marketing agency, from Stagwell for $245 million in cash. The deal brings ConcentricLife’s 270+ employees into Accenture Song and is intended to strengthen Accenture’s healthcare and life sciences marketing and communications capabilities.

Omnicom has agreed to acquire Flywheel Digital, the digital commerce business of Ascential, for approximately $835 million in net cash. The acquisition brings Flywheel's commerce platform and services — including retail commerce operations, media execution, and market intelligence supported by Flywheel Commerce Cloud — into Omnicom to deepen its capabilities in e-commerce, retail media and digital commerce.

Investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital, with co-investors including the Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO) and Northwestern Mutual, have acquired MMGY Global from Peninsula Capital Partners LLC and other shareholders. MMGY Global’s management team will remain in place under CEO Katie Briscoe as the company pursues a global growth strategy; the firm has more than 600 employees across 14 offices.

Tendo Communications, a San Francisco–based B2B content experience agency, has acquired PointOne Digital, a San Francisco UX design consultancy. The deal expands Tendo's UX and design capabilities—adding prototyping, user testing, visual design and design-system services—to offer integrated, audience-focused digital experiences for B2B clients.

1Vision has acquired Preferred Marketing Solutions, a Louisville-based marketing, print and fulfillment provider that was previously a wholly owned subsidiary of Papa John's International. The deal expands 1Vision’s print, direct mail and retail marketing capabilities and strengthens its fulfillment presence in the eastern U.S., including heat-set web capabilities for higher run-length projects.

Her Campus Media has acquired Zfluence, a Gen Z influencer marketing platform founded by Ava McDonald. The acquisition adds Zfluence's community of Gen Z creators and proprietary matching technology to Her Campus Media's portfolio, expanding its influencer marketing capabilities for brands targeting college-aged and Gen Z audiences.

Burdette Beckmann Inc. (BBI), a national sales agency based in Fort Lauderdale, completed the acquisition of PROMARK, a sales and marketing agency founded in 1987. The deal expands BBI’s market coverage across 35 states—strengthening its convenience, grocery and confectionery channels—and will support additional investment in analytics, infrastructure and trade management.

SmartBug Media, a digital agency backed by American Discovery Capital, acquired Canadian HubSpot and Shopify partner Globalia, Inc., adding 90 technical HubSpot experts and creating a combined team of more than 300. The deal broadens SmartBug's technical systems-integration and e-commerce capabilities, expands its international and French‑language coverage, and strengthens its position as a top global HubSpot partner.

FVLCRUM Funds, together with View Park Capital and investor Channing Johnson, completed the acquisition of Burrell Communications Group, a leading multicultural advertising and marketing agency based in Chicago. The deal transitions ownership from longtime co-CEOs McGhee Osse and Fay Ferguson and names Tara DeVeaux as incoming CEO, with Johnson set to serve as Chairman as the new owners invest to grow the agency's capabilities and reach.

Next Net Media, the St. Petersburg, Florida-based digital marketing operator, has acquired LinkBuilder.io, a specialist link-building and SEO services provider. The acquisition is intended to broaden Next Net Media’s SEO service offering and integrate LinkBuilder.io’s team and client portfolio into its existing family of marketing brands.

Mod Op, a Miami-based full-service digital marketing agency and portfolio company of Alterna Equity Partners, has acquired Crenshaw Communications, a New York–headquartered public relations firm. The deal expands Mod Op’s capabilities into public relations and AI-enabled communications; Crenshaw founder Dorothy Crenshaw joins Mod Op as Chief Public Relations Officer.

Cyncly, a global provider of end-to-end software and content solutions for the spaces-for-living industry, has acquired Mobile Marketing, a Pennsylvania-based digital marketing and web services provider focused on flooring retailers. The acquisition integrates Mobile Marketing's specialized digital and e-commerce capabilities into Cyncly's flooring offering to expand customer engagement, lead generation and an end-to-end digital-to-ERP customer journey across North America.

EAG Advertising & Marketing, a Kansas City-based marketing advisory and creative agency, has acquired Useagility, a design research and strategy firm focused on human-centered interfaces and user experience. The acquisition brings Useagility’s customer research and UX capabilities into EAG to expand client offerings and improve customer insights and conversion-focused design services.

OptimizeRx Corp. (Nasdaq: OPRX) has signed an agreement to acquire Scottsdale-based Medicx Health (Healthy Offers, Inc.) for $95 million, with certain Medicx managers rolling about $10.5 million into OptimizeRx stock. The acquisition will expand OptimizeRx's omnichannel reach by adding Medicx's patient-focused Micro-Neighborhood Targeting platform and analytics, and is expected to be immediately accretive and to increase consolidated revenue run-rate toward $100 million.