• by Steve McClellan , April 19, 2023

Costa Mesa, CA-based independent agency SCS has been acquired by Toronto-based PopReach Corp. for nearly $15 million in cash, debt and stock inclusive of potential earn out payments over the next two years. The agency had revenue of close to $18 million last year with pre-tax earnings of nearly $1.7 million.

PopReach describes itself as “multi-platform technology company” focused on acquiring and scaling companies and assets that provide services, technology or products within the digital media ecosystem.

The Company's portfolio includes: PopReach Games, a free-to-play mobile game publisher; NotifyAI, a push notification subscription and monetization platform; Q1Media, a digital media advertising services provider; Contobox, an award-winning personalization, eCommerce and creative advertising technology platform; and Ubiquity, an omnichannel marketing network and technology platform.

SCS will continue to be led by CEO, James Schiefer, who acquired the predecessor firm from his father Carl in 2005. He also becomes an “insider” of PopReach given his status as an officer of SCS.

SCS was formed in 2016 through the combination of media agency, Schiefer Media and content creative studio, ChopShop Entertainment. In 2018, SCS acquired digital production agency, Fuel Industries, and in 2021 acquired digital performance marketing boutique, Swarm. SCS has approximately 100 employees with offices in Costa Mesa, Atlanta, and Ottawa.  

"SCS is a next-generation digital agency with a foundation in data science that aligns perfectly with our strategy to consolidate best of breed companies, rooted in technology and data, to build a rich ecosystem of services and solutions" for brands and advertisers, said Jon Walsh, CEO of PopReach.