Merkle, a CRM and marketing agency, has acquired RKG, a search and digital marketing agency based in Charlottesville, Va. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
This marks the second digital agency acquisition Merkle has completed in 2014, putting the agency on a promising path for the rest of the year. Between 2012 and 2013, Merkle experienced a net revenue increase of 43%.
This year, media billings for the combined agency are expected to reach more than $500 million.
With the purchase, Merkle will add 220 RKG team members to its Digital Agency Group. As a result, total employee count will reach more than 2,400 people, an all-time high for Merkle.
Merkle was interested in RKG’s digital marketing talent, its service-oriented approach, and digital media capabilities to craft successful pay-per-click, SEO, display and social campaigns. Additionally, RKG’s traction in retail and other key markets complemented Merkle’s business goals and areas of focus.
“We were honored to be approached by another high-growth, independent agency,” said George Gallate, CEO of RKG, regarding the acquisition. “Merkle is a proven leader in creating customer experiences that drive outstanding marketing performance in addressable media, and we’re proud to join its ranks. Our two companies also share a similar energy and passion for success, which are the makings of a perfect cultural fit.”
