Forty-nine-year-old Noble Communications has been acquired by Pittsburgh-based Gatesman. The move expands Pittsburgh’s sixth largest agency’s footprint into both Springfield, Missouri and Chicago.
Noble which has committed itself to culinary thought leadership and cutting edge food marketing, developed CultureWaves, a proprietary system of taking the most cutting-edge behavioral aspects of life and turning them into relevant purchasing behavior.
In a quote reported by The Drum, chairman Bob Noble said, “The cultures of Gatesman and Noble are very compatible – with respect for insights and analytics to drive creative and quality work. I really admire what Shannon and John have built, and the combined agency’s future is in great hands with Gatesman. It’s a great fit and will mean additional support with expanded capabilities for the clients and for future new business.”
The combined client roster of the two agencies includes brands such as StarKist, Del Monte, Hormel Foods, Hoover and Dirt Devil.
In a report by Biz Journal, CEO John Gatesman approached Noble management in April to gauge their interest in a merger. The overtures were positively received, and the deal was completed on June 30.
“We’re bringing together incredible talent and brands from two successful agencies to form an even stronger powerhouse of resources for our clients and continued momentum of industry-leading growth,” said Gatesman in a statement. “We were already succeeding in a space where larger agencies tend to play – with these added resources and extended capabilities you can expect us to be even bolder on a national and international stage.”
John Gatesman will continue in the role of CEO, with Shannon Baker as president, of the combined entity. The management team from Noble Communications remains in place as part of Gatesman.
This move will help boost Gatesman to 125 employees and its revenue by 50 percent. Noble will continue to lead newsletter/website The Food Channel, which he also founded. His focus will be growing and expanding food publishing and Noble’s food marketing, which remains in Springfield. It is not part of the acquisition. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Original Six Media adds two more
Creative production and editorial company Original Six Media has hired award-winning and Chicago-based comedy director Larry Ziegelman and Marketing Director Mary Ida Bonadio.
The company specializes in online video and branded content, an all-in-one service for individual brands and nonprofits that takes projects from concept to delivery.
Good luck to Larry and Mary Ida from The Reel!
Follow Colin Costello on Twitter @colincostello10.
