• by Larissa Faw , April 19, 2019

Dallas-based integrated agency Calise Partners is acquiring digital shop Imaginuity also based there. Terms weren’t disclosed.

With the acquisition, Calise Partners founder Charlie Calise installing his 29-year-old son Taylor as CEO of Imaginuity. The agency’s former CEO, Corbett Guest will shift to a new role in the combined operations as chief innovation and strategy officer.

“We joined forces because we identified the opportunity to combine our web development, technology and brand experience expertise with Calise’s approach to integrated, results-driven marketing and media,” explains Guest.

"The first thing that stood out was the user experience work, then it was the team members, then we realized the software/web development and subsequently the digital brand positioning capabilities that were within the organization," says Taylor Calise. "Above all else, it was the like-minded vision for how we saw our agencies coming together."

Imaginuity will continue to operate under its name, but will now fully access Calise's resources, including Calise's proprietary "AdScience" customer data and analytics platform aimed at more middle-market brands.

The deal (in the works for five months) is designed to help clients more effectively compete for customers as they journey between traditional and digital experiences.

The combined agencies will employ more than 100 professionals across all marketing disciplines, including brand experience, advertising, traditional and digital media buying, paid and organic search, social media, web development, UX, AI, and will report 2019 capitalized billings of approximately $150 million.

Taylor Calise will continue to serve as Chief Operating Officer of Calise Partners.