• by Fern Siegel , Yesterday

Residence, the global network of creative companies, has acquired strategic and social creative agency OK COOL.

Financial details were not disclosed.

The deal underscores a larger focus on social-media advertising and the chance for Residence to enlarge its global reach. The acquisition expands Residence’s capabilities, solidifying its visibility across key sectors, such as fashion, retail, travel, tech and food.

No major staff changes are anticipated.

Based in Los Angeles, Residence has offices in New York, Sydney, London, Amsterdam, Vienna and Vancouver. Its client roster includes Airbnb, Microsoft, JP Morgan and Meta. Buck, It’s Nice That and Giant Ant are companies in its network.

OK COOL, founded by Liz Stone and Jolyon Varley in London 2016, envisioned social media as the key media channel for brands. Three years later, they were joined by Ben Gordon, a former consultant for Studio Blup and Havas Media Group. The shop's expertise is social-native storytelling and creator partnerships, with offices in New York and Sydney.

Ryan Honey, Residence CEO, said: “OK COOL brings social-native expertise that expands the Residence offering. They share our commitment to craft, community  and collaboration. That creates value for both our companies and our clients."

Varley, global head of brand at OK COOL, added: "The industry makes you believe that an acquisition or merger means selling out to some insipid, corporate behemoth who dismantles your brand and everything that makes you special. Residence understands that we are doing something extraordinary in creativity and they want to support us to scale that globally. This deal is a dream come true.”