The Escape Pod Buys Stake in Digital Studio ORA Interactive

The Escape Pod, an independent advertising agency in Chicago, today announced that it has purchased a stake in ORA Interactive, a digital experience studio headquartered in the city’s West Loop neighbourhood. The expansion of The Escape Pod’s full-service offering will accelerate the agency’s speed to ideas while driving cost-efficiencies for clients.

“We bring our clients’ brands to life in the most powerful manner possible—whether through broadcast, digital, social or experiential. By bringing ORA’s digital firepower in-house to enhance our full suite of services, we now have the ability to concept, produce, program and build anything we can dream up, faster and at a better cost for our clients,” said Norm Bilow, Managing Director, The Escape Pod. 

The strategic partnership between the two agencies is a natural fit based on similar cultures and complementary offerings. “The Escape Pod is known for bringing a sense of energy and excitement to help clients break through the clutter in their category,” said Mike Kelly, Founder and CEO, ORA Interactive. “Similarly, with digital experiences, people have high expectations. If you don’t create a great experience, they’ll drop off or switch brands. By joining forces, we’re fusing the best creative ideas with technology that can power richer brand experiences for clients,” Kelly added. 

Founded in 2009, ORA Interactive specialises in Interface/UX design, application development, web development and identity design. The Studio has created apps, dynamic websites, virtual reality and connected devices for a broad range of clients, from start-ups such as Dryv and Fooda to mid-sized and Fortune 500 companies, including Interpark, Allstate, Baxter and more. 

In August, the agency’s full team of designers, developers and managers will move to The Escape Pod’s Fulton Market headquarters in Chicago.