Last year marketing agency The Shipyard, based in Columbus, Ohio, acquired independent California ad shop Mering. Now the two firms are being fully merged with refreshed branding.

The combined entity will be called The Shipyard, adding a new tagline: “Engineering Brand Love.”

The agency now totals 140 people across four cities including Columbus, Newport Beach, Sacramento, and San Diego.  The Shipyard is a member of the independent agency consortium Worldwide Partners, giving the agency 94 affiliate offices across all continents. 

Top management has also been reorganized to lead the integrated entity. The Shipyard founder Rick Milenthal will continue as CEO. Dave Mering, previously Mering CEO becomes vice chairman of The Shipyard.

Lori Bartle has been named CMO of the combined unit, having previously served as president at Mering, and Tammy Haughey will now serve as vice president, Account Management for the entire firm.

John Mergen, previously executive media director at Mering is taking the role of The Shipyard’s Chief Media Officer.  

Liz Ross is vice president of production and Casey Soulies is vice president, digital media.

The integration comes on the heels of a big win streak at the agency this year including successfully defending its global Visit California account after a formal review. Recent AOR wins include financial service firm Thrivent, accounting firm Clifton Larson Allen, and gluten-free cookie dough maker Sweet Loren’s. The agency also won media AOR duties for Huntington Bank.

Previously disclosed 2021 account wins include eyewear brand Serengeti, the California Wine Institute, Visit Slocal (San Luis Obispo tourism) and scientific information services firm CAS.

“To engineer brand love, we must be one unified agency, with deep talent in data analytics, media and creativity,” said Milenthal.

Added Mering: “We always envisioned that the two agencies would come together as one brand. Our combined strengths have made us stronger, creating an even more dynamic agency and work culture.”