GreenRubino buys Seattle creative agency Rupert

Seattle's GreenRubino has been around for almost half a century. Now it has bought a younger neighbour to sharpen its creative edge.

The firm announced on 12 October that it has acquired Rupert, a Seattle creative agency founded in 2010. The Puget Sound Business Journal reported the deal the following day. Terms were not disclosed.

What GreenRubino is getting

Rupert builds brands and campaigns, with experience in consumer goods, travel and technology. Its motto is "Make Work That Works".

Founder Noah Tannen joins GreenRubino as director of strategic partnerships. Rupert's creative lead and partner Mark Mirabille becomes director of brand experience.

In return, Rupert's clients get access to GreenRubino's strategy, media, PR, content and web teams, plus Gradient, its audience intelligence platform, which is still in beta.

A bigger creative bench

The deal follows GreenRubino's hire of David Newman as creative director. He spent 16 years at Visit Seattle. Partner Stacia Allen described the acquisition as the firm taking its own advice.

Tannen said joining forces "removes limitations on what we can offer our clients".

Why it matters

Two local independents, one strong in media and strategy and one strong in ideas, are often worth more together than apart. For a founder-led creative shop, a buyer in the same city with complementary services can mean bigger briefs without losing the team or the culture.

Could a local partner take your agency further? Find out at Agencies.co.

Sources: GreenRubino, Content Grip