HY Connect Acquires Digital Technology Agency Merge Design + Interactive

Advertising agency HY Connect (HYC) is acquiring Merge Design + Interactive, CEO/President Ron Bess announced today. 

Merge was founded in 2004 as a digital organisation that seamlessly combines high-end UX and design expertise with a robust, platform-agnostic technical development skill set. 

“Merge’s capabilities allow us to take HYC’s offerings to a whole new level—a skillset combining creativity and technology not found in most other advertising agencies,” Bess said.

Merge has created engaging websites, mobile apps, digital marketing campaigns and social programs for clients large and small across a range of industries. Merge also has the uncommon ability to fully conceptualise, architect and develop full-scale enterprise solutions for clients such as Great-West Financial, Harley-Davidson, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, and James Hardie, to name a few.

In the acquisition, HY Connect is gaining Merge’s executive leadership team, which includes Riley Sheehan, Lauren Sheehan and Chris Tussing. Riley Sheehan will become the agency’s chief technology officer, Lauren Sheehan’s title will be senior vice president, creative and design director, and Tussing has been named chief marketing officer.

“Lauren, Chris and I have been diligent about crafting our technology and design business around a unique combination of abilities and culture. Becoming a part of a unified agency such as HY Connect will enable us to provide for our clients and employees in completely new ways,” said Riley Sheehan, founder and CEO of Merge.

Pictured left to right: Chris Tussing, Lauren Sheehan, Riley Sheehan