McGarrah Jessee Acquires Digital Agency Exopolis

Austin, TX – July 17, 2012 – Austin-based full-service branding agency McGarrah Jessee has acquired Exopolis (www.exopolis.com), an eleven-year-old digital agency also based in Austin.

McGarrah Jessee, known for its innovative and sometimes unconventional approach, is the agency behind successful and comprehensive brand-building campaigns for iconic names such as Shiner Beers, Whataburger, Frost Bank, Costa Sunglasses, Guitar Center and Haggar Clothing Co.

The addition of the Exopolis team will further extend McGarrah Jessee’s digital reach, which has been the agency’s fastest-growing discipline.

McGarrah Jessee’s digital capabilities include web and mobile development and design, social media strategy, user experience, email marketing, motion graphics, online media planning and buying, and analytics.

“Digital experience is an integral component of the work we do for clients, and we expect everyone in the agency to be fluent in digital concepts,” said agency co-founder Mark McGarrah. “The addition of Exopolis deepens our core digital team and capabilities, which will strengthen the whole agency.”

Exopolis was founded in 2001 as a design studio, and over the years it has evolved into a digital strategy agency. In 2010, Exopolis was acquired by venture capital and growth equity firm Austin Ventures and moved its headquarters to Austin.

Matt Hovis, founder of production company Action Figure and former CMO of branded entertainment firm FameCast, became CEO and CCO of Exopolis after the move.

“I’ve known McGarrah Jessee and its founders for years and have always admired them,” said Hovis. “The work we’ve done at Exopolis is a perfect complement to McJ as they continue to push their digital capabilities.”

Exopolis has partnered with clients including Rhapsody, Apple, Coca-Cola, Nokia, Disney, Sunny Delight Beverages, Bossa Nova Superfruit Beverages, Microsoft, Nickelodeon, History Channel, IFC, HBO/Cinemax, Nike, JC Penney and Universal Pictures.

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Learn more at www.mcgarrahjessee.com. 

CONTACT

Eric Webber

512-225-2610

eric@mc-j.com

Ad Age Article

Full press release below.

Exopolis adds SunnyD to Recent New Client Wins

Beverage Company Taps Exopolis for Web, Mobile and Social Campaigns

Austin, TX (July 14, 2011)—Exopolis, a creative strategies agency, has been named digital agency of record for the SunnyD brand, part of the Sunny Delight Beverages Co. (SDBC). After a competitive pitch, Exopolis was awarded the business, which includes strategic and creative responsibilities for all digital initiatives moving forward.

“After evaluating multiple agencies, we chose Exopolis for their fresh approach in taking our digital efforts to the next level," said Dave Silver, Brand Manager, SunnyD. "We're excited about infusing their smart thinking and new energy into this brand.”

Exopolis was founded in 2001 as a design studio and over the years has evolved into a full service creative strategies agency. With a pedigree in design and execution, the executive team at Exopolis consciously shifted their business model to provide brands with cross-platform solutions. In March of 2010, Exopolis was acquired by Austin Ventures, which helped expand the company’s capabilities and resources. Today the company's unique process and integrated approach is helping them win high profile direct client engagements.

Earlier this year Exopolis was named agency of record for Formula 1 United States, and has since developed a comprehensive brand identity, name, website, and communications platform for its racing facility, Circuit of The Americas. Other recent work includes a rebrand and subsequent cross platform image campaigns for digital music service Rhapsody. Exopolis has also worked with Microsoft on high-priority messaging needs for platforms such as XBOX Kinect and Windows Gaming.

“We're excited to be working with SunnyD, they've been very receptive to our ideas and process," said Matt Hovis, CEO, Exopolis. "Our diverse approach may or may not employ traditional advertising platforms, but it will always involve the best ways to help our clients push the needle forward on their brand and business goals."

About Exopolis

Exopolis is a creative strategies agency based in Austin, TX. Every engagement is guided by a custom team with years of experience in strategy, cross-platform creative and production. Clients include Formula 1 United States, Rhapsody, Apple, Coca-Cola, Nokia, Disney, Bossa Nova Superfruit Beverages, Microsoft, Nickelodeon, History Channel, IFC, HBO/Cinemax, Nike, JC Penny, Universal Pictures and more. Exopolis’ creative design, concept, and execution, has received recognition and awards from The One Show, Cannes Film and Cyber, The Webby Awards, Interactive Media Awards, Promax/BDA, and more. www.exopolis.com

About Sunny Delight Beverages Co.

SDBC is a leading producer of juice-based drinks in North America. The company is dedicated to helping moms improve the vitality of their families by creating and marketing more wholesome beverages. Privately held, the company's brands include SunnyD citrus punch, Fruit Simple smoothies, Fruit2O vitamin fortified flavored waters, Veryfine 100% fruit juices and juice drinks, Bossa Nova "superfruit" beverages, Elations dietary supplement for joint health and Crystal Light ready-to-drink bottled beverages. All SDBC plants have achieved zero waste to landfills. Please visit www.sunnyd.com for more information about the company and its brands.

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Austin, TX (February 17, 2011)—Creative Agency Exopolis announces that it has been named agency of record for Formula 1 United States. 

Formula 1 United States is set to open a new world-class facility in Austin, TX in the summer of 2012. This multipurpose complex will span 1000 acres and will be the 2012 - 2021 home of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™. As AOR, Exopolis will handle all strategic and creative communications. Exopolis won the business following an extensive review of pitches from a number of agencies. 

“It was important for us to find the right creative partner that had the strategic firepower and multidisciplinary production capabilities to help us establish the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ and our new facility,” said Tavo Hellmund, Chairman of Formula 1 United States™. “I’m thrilled to be working with Exopolis on this historic assignment as we welcome the return of Formula 1 to the U.S. for the inaugural event in Austin.”

Austin’s new development will be the first time a facility is constructed from the ground up specifically for Formula 1 in the U.S.

Said Matt Hovis, CEO & CCO, Exopolis, “As a lifelong Formula 1 fan, I’ve been obsessively following local developments since Formula 1 made the announcement it was coming to Austin early last summer. The opportunity to brand and market Formula 1 U.S. is an exciting time for Exopolis and we’ve already hit the ground running at top speed. It’s going to be a very exciting partnership for us.”

About Exopolis

Exopolis is a creative agency with a penchant for technology based in Austin, TX. We are a team of thinkers and doers. Every engagement is guided by a team of veterans with years of experience in strategy, cross-platform creative and production. Clients include Rhapsody, Apple, Coca-Cola, Nokia, Disney, Bossa Nova Superfruit Beverages, Microsoft, Nickelodeon, History Channel, IFC, HBO/Cinemax, Nike, JC Penny, Universal Pictures and more. Exopolis’s creative design, concept, and execution, has received recognition and awards from The One Show, Cannes Film and Cyber, The Webby Awards, Interactive Media Awards, Promax/BDA, and more. www.exopolis.com

About Formula 1 United States

Slated to host its first event in 2012, the much-anticipated Grand Prix facility will provide a fully–integrated architectural and entertainment experience for both event participants and visitors. The surrounding landscape of the 3.4–mile circuit allows for maximum elevation changes and a combination of more than 20 turns. Drivers and fans will have the opportunity to enjoy views of the scenic hill country at this state–of–the–art facility that will hold 120,000 fans. The conceptual master plan features additional visitor attractions including a proposed driving/riding experience and seminar building, motorsports driving club, kart track and welcome center. http://www.formula1unitedstates.com/

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Media Contact for Exopolis:

Natasha Wang or Karen Raz

natasha@razpr.com or karen@razpr.com

310.450.1482

Read the article here.

Los Angeles, CA and Austin, TX (May 4, 2010)— Creative Agency Exopolis has today announced that it has been acquired by Austin Ventures, a venture capital and growth equity firm that invests in the technology and services industries. Matt Hovis, who was a co-founder of Austin-based production company Action Figure, comes on board the Exopolis executive team as Chief Creative Officer and is joined by Exopolis co-founders Kat Egan and Daniel Arcana.

"I began collaborating on projects and accounts with Exopolis last year and knew immediately that our skill sets fit together perfectly. We share deep roots in design, production and technology and the experience of having run successful independent shops for over 10 years", said Hovis. "The key for us, however, is our shared vision for a new agency structure that we feel best addresses the current marketplace."

This acquisition by Austin Ventures lays the foundation for a larger digital play currently in development by the Exopolis team.

"Exopolis is the ideal partner to accelerate the company’s expansion into the fast growing digital agency arena,” said Chris Pacitti, General Partner, Austin Ventures. "Exopolis has the dynamic creative chops and forward thinking business model to evolve into our vision of what it will take to compete in what has become a very exciting sector."

Upon this announcement, Exopolis is debuting a new rebrand for Rhapsody and is in development on a new cross-platform image campaign that promotes Rhapsody's new music service offering.  

Said Ronan O’Mahony, Sr. Manager Brand Marketing, Rhapsody, “We have been working on projects with Exopolis for over three years, and when we needed to refresh our identity to reflect a new direction for the company, we knew Exopolis would be up to the task. The strategic and creative team helped us conceive a new look for our brand to coincide with Rhapsody going independent. In addition, we are excited to work with Exopolis on building out a holistic campaign to promote our latest suite of product features and smartphone apps.”

Exopolis Co-Founders Kat Egan and Daniel Arcana are enthusiastic about their extended creative team and relationship with Austin Ventures. "I'm thrilled to have met like-minded visionaries who have a passion for digital, design and creating smart solutions for our clients,” commented Egan. “We've long had an affinity for the creative energy and technology spirit that emanates out of the Austin market and we’re excited to be here,” concluded Daniel.

About Austin Ventures 


Austin Ventures (“AV”) has worked with talented entrepreneurs to build valuable companies for nearly twenty-five years. With $3.9 billion under management, AV is the most active venture capital and growth equity firm in Texas and one of the most established in the nation. With an investment focus on business services and supply chain, financial services, new media, Internet and information services, software, and Texas special situations, AV invests at all stages of company development, from $100,000 in “planned experiments” in early stage ideas to $100+ million investments in expansion rounds, minority recapitalizations, and buyouts of lower middle market growth companies. AV’s strategy is to partner with talented executives and entrepreneurs through its CEO-in-Residence and Entrepreneur-in-Residence programs. Visit austinventures.comfor more information.

About Exopolis

Exopolis is a creative agency with a penchant for technology. We are a tribe of digital craftsmen with bases in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Austin. Our company and all the projects we accept are guided by a team of veteran multi-disciplinarians with years of experience in cross-platform creative, and related technologies. We have no history of traditional anything, and look to every client engagement as an opportunity to do something truly spectacular.

Clients include Rhapsody, Apple, Coca-Cola, Nokia, Disney, Bossa Nova Beverages, Microsoft, Nickelodeon, Havaianas, History Channel, IFC, HBO/Cinemax, Nike, JC Penny, Universal Pictures and agencies Hill Holiday, Leo Burnett, Y&R, Goodby Silverstein & Partners, JWT, Ogilvy & Mather, McCann-Erickson, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi and Crispin Porter + Bogusky and more.  www.exopolis.com

Media Contacts:

Karen Raz or Natasha Wang

karen@razpr.com or natasha@razpr.com

310.450.1482Company Debuts New Ad Campaign for Rhapsody

Exopolis has merged with the creative strategies division of Action Figure – an Austin, Texas-based production company. The move brings together a focused team with a shared vision, expands the company's capabilities and best addresses the needs of the current marketplace. Action Figure founder Matt Hovis comes on board of the Exopolis management team as Chief Executive Officer, and is joined by Exopolis founders Kat Egan and Daniel Arcana. Learn more here.