Stagwell acquires Team Epiphany in latest move

Stagwell is continuing its shopping spree with the acquisition of Team Epiphany, an agency that specializes in cultural relevance, experiential and multicultural marketing. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Team Epiphany was founded by husband-and-wife duo Coltrane Curtis and Lisa Chu in 2004. The two will transition from managing partners to co-CEOs as part of the move. Since its launch, the agency has grown to 100 employees across its offices in New York, Los Angeles and Miami. Also read: Inside IPG’s sale of Deutsch New York and Hill Holliday Check out the latest Ad Age events and award programs The agency has 35 clients, including longtime partners American Express, HBO Max and Lego. Some of its notable work includes American Express’ AMEX “100 for 100” program that led to the company investing $2.5 million in Black female entrepreneurs. It has also done memorable work for HBO shows such as “Ballers” and “Insecure.” Team Epiphany’s work on “Insecure” resulted in the agency inspiring aspects of the show itself and eventually led to a strategic partnership with Issa Rae’s HOORAE Media in September. Team Epiphany will join Stagwell’s Constellation network of agencies, which includes 72andSunny, Colle McVoy and newly launched business transformation consultancy Jemini, among others. This is the latest acquisition for Stagwell, which acquired TikTok marketing pioneer Movers+Shakers in November; digital and tech agency Left Field Labs in October; and design and experience shop Tinsel Experiential Design in July, all of which are now part of the Constellation network. Stagwell also acquired digital creative agency In the Company of Huskies in April. “We have changed the script a little bit at Stagwell of the kind of agencies we’re trying to acquire,” said Justin Lewis, the chair of Constellation and co-founder of Instrument, which was sold to Stagwell in 2022. “Predominantly we're looking for exceptional people. The first time I met this crew, I was so impressed with the work and I understood what goes into the work that they do, but I was probably even more impressed honestly when I met the leadership team there.” Curtis, who previously was VP of marketing for Marc Ecko Enterprises and an editor at Complex Magazine, said the move was about growth for the agency and expanding beyond the work that it has become known for, allowing it to dive into new areas such as TV spots. “When you really think about representation, yes, we could do multicultural better than anybody in the game, but that’s just not only thing that we can do,” Curtis said. Over the years the agency has become known for its experiential work and even claims to have pioneered “influencer marketing” as a term before X (formerly) Twitter and Instagram existed. “The reality is that we understand culture and know where it’s going,” Curtis said. If we’re able to position that with deeper-rooted relationships and brands, giving brands a greater trust in leveraging those insights from a strategic level, not just the tactical level, that’s what’s exciting for us.” The agency had received offers from every major holding company in the past according to Chu, but it eventually landed on Stagwell for several reasons. One was the founders’ connection with Lewis. “People tend to see Team Epiphany and want to compartmentalize its offerings into ‘multicultural’ or ‘experiential,’ but when I met the team, it became clear to me that their deep appreciation and mastery of culture is an essential ingredient for contemporary brands focused on forward-looking growth,” Lewis said. Chu said Team Epiphany was also attracted to the deal because many of Stagwell’s agency founders are still working at their respective agencies. Check out the latest Ad Age events and award programs “We’re trying to build a legacy brand here,” Chu said. “That doesn't mean we have to stay as owners, but we can stay as principals for a long time and continue on.” Stagwell plans to acquire more agencies, with a focus on the people running them rather than capabilities, according to Lewis.

Stagwell acquires Team Epiphany in latest move

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