In June, Vibes, a Chicago-based mobile marketing agency, received a $45 million investment from Syniverse, a Tampa Bay-based provider of technology and business services for the telecommunications industry, to scale its national and international expansion efforts, as well as position itself as the platform for mobile marketing.
Today, Vibes announced its first major deal following the funding, revealing that it has acquired Miami-based Red Fish Media, a mobile marketing and digital solutions company. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Vibes, founded in 1998, helps brands reach and engage with customers on mobile via a variety of products and services, such as text message marketing, mobile wallet marketing, push notifications, and more. Vibes employes 130 people in Chicago.
Red Fish, which specializes in mobile strategy, analysis and optimization, has executed mobile marketing campaigns for brands such as Ralph Lauren, P&G, Mars Chocolate, Starbucks, and DKNY in order to improve sales.
"With this acquisition, we've solidified our leadership in mobile marketing engagement," co-founder and CEO Jack Philbin said in a statement. "As the industry begins to consolidate, Vibes will continue to lead the pack and offer brands the most comprehensive mobile marketing platform available. Red Fish broadens our capabilities with additional technology, and accelerates our expansion into new areas like healthcare."
Red Fish's Founder and President Matt McKenna will join Vibes as the vice president of sales.
Added McKenna in a release, "Vibes and Red Fish share a common vision‹that mobile is currently and will continue to be the most effective way to engage consumers. We've seen firsthand that it's possible for major brands to drive true ROI with mobile, and by adding our team and technology to the industry leading platform that Vibes has developed, we're going to help the industry rethink what is possible in the space."
(Image via Red Fish Media)
