Venice digital media company Zealot Networks has been on a shopping spree this year.
The firm, which is not yet a year old, last month announced the acquisition of two creative marketing companies, Neighbor Agency in Venice and Idea Farmer in Los Angeles, marking the third and fourth acquisitions Zealot has made since Jan. 1. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Danny Zappin, chief executive of Zealot, said the move will help his firm venture into creating original content and integrated brand marketing for food, beverage, travel and lifestyle brands.
“With Neighbor Agency and Idea Farmer joining Zealot, we now have a comprehensive marketing and branded content development business to extend through our network,” he said in a statement. “Both companies are distinctive in their creative approach, having crafted and executed high-impact, digitalcentric campaigns for great brands such as Jamba Juice, CLIF/Luna Bar, California Pizza Kitchen, Whirlpool’s luxury Jenn-Air brand, KitchenAid and many others.”
Zappin hinted at the company’s big goals when he told the Business Journal last year about wanting to build a company that could tackle every aspect of digital media, from consumption to distribution.
In January, Zealot acquired Premier Sports & Entertainment in Encino, a company representing coaches and athletes in contract negotiations and sponsorship deals. Earlier last month, it acquired New York-based talent management firm Converge Media Group, which has clients including Pepsi, ABC and Microsoft.
Zealot, which launched in August, was co-founded by Zappin, Chief Financial Officer Bob Vanech, Chief Strategy Officer Conn Fishburn and Chief Marketing Officer Chad Seymour.
The media company formed after Zappin was ousted as chief executive at Maker Studios in Culver City two years ago. The firm launched with $25 million in initial funding and has received about $30 million more to date.
Done Deal
Boutique communications firm ARC2 Communications and Media in Los Angeles has been acquired by W2O Group, an independent network of marketing, communications, research and development firms in San Francisco.
ARC2, which specializes in health care, was co-founded by communications veterans Christine Cassiano and Andrea Rothschild.
Cassiano and Rothschild said in a joint statement that joining W2O would change how the company communicates and creates content for its clients.
“The talent in the greater Los Angeles area combined with the level of innovation occurring from startups to studios is important to tap into to develop ‘what’s next,’” they said.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Jim Weiss, chief executive of W2O, said the acquisition is part of the company’s plan to innovate how brands in any industry entertain and share content. It also helps to expand the company’s presence in Los Angeles.
W2O’s network includes San Francisco communications and marketing firms WCG and BrewLife, New York marketing firm Twist as well as its own venture investment fund, W20 Ventures. Combined, the firms have 11 offices in the United States and Europe. W2O companies have worked with health care clients such as Benvenue Medical and consumer brands such as Hershey’s, in addition to technology and financial firms.
Cassiano and Rothschild were senior vice presidents and the West Coast health care practice leads for communications firm Hill + Knowlton Strategies Inc. in Santa Monica. They co-founded ARC2 in 2012; both have joined the W2O team.
Agencies & Accounts
Brand consultancy and marketing agency Troika in Hollywood named Kevin Aratari head of business development and marketing communications last week. Aratari was previously chief marketing officer for creative agency mOcean in West Los Angeles. … Ad agency Deutsch LA in Playa Vista named Mikaela Liboro senior public relations manager last month. Liboro previously served as senior account executive at public relations firm MWW in Hollywood. … Movement Public Relations in Laurel Canyon has been named agency of record for Detour Bistro Bar in Culver City. … Finnish design agency Idean opened a studio in West Hollywood last month. … Cross-cultural marketing and media agency Barú in Hollywood has been named media agency of record for network MundoFox in Los Angeles. … Creative agency Stun Creative on Miracle Mile has named Michael Vamosy its chief creative officer. Vamosy was previously senior vice president of creative services of Starz Entertainment in Englewood, Colo. … El Segundo ad agency David&Goliath has promoted Seema Miller to managing partner and chief strategy officer. Miller previously served as executive director and head of planning at the agency. … Fairfax District creative agency Anthemic has signed three new PR clients: John Lennon Educational Bus Tour, Fluence and PTA (PlanesTrains + Automobiles). … Media company Lantica Media in Beverly Hills has named Albert Martínez Martín vice president of Lantica Pictures, its production and finance company. Martínez Martín previously worked as an independent film producer.
Staff reporter Subrina Hudson can be reached at [email protected] or at (323) 549-5225, ext. 251.
