Heart of the Sun

Founded in 2016 by Mike Spadier, Heart of the Sun is an Austin-based full-service marketing agency known for its prowess in brand building, e-commerce, and customer acquisition. With a client base in diverse industries such as e-commerce, Spirits, and CPG, the agency excels in offering a wide array of services like digital marketing, social media management, and web design, all while maintaining a recurring revenue model and a culture of creativity and transparency.

Inside the Enterprise: Who Is Heart of the Sun?

Distinctive in its approach, Heart of the Sun stands out in the marketing industry for its ability to seamlessly integrate comprehensive market research into creative production, fostering a unique blend of data-driven strategy and imaginative execution that resonates deeply with diverse client bases.

Founder’s Motive: The Why Behind the Sale

Mike Spadier, having successfully co-led Heart of the Sun to become a one-stop marketing shop, was ready to transition to a new chapter in his career as the CMO of a large client. He, along with his partner Tim, sought a buyer who would not only continue the agency’s legacy but also provide additional expertise and resources for their clients and team.

Founder’s Vision: Criteria for the Perfect Acquisition Fit

Their vision was to align with a partner that shared Heart of the Sun’s values and mission, and could take the agency to the next level in its growth trajectory. The ideal buyer would continue to foster the agency’s culture of innovative marketing solutions and client satisfaction.

Setting the Stage: Preparing Heart of the Sun for Acquisition

Heart of the Sun, under the guidance of Merge, was strategically prepared for the acquisition, showcasing its depth of experience, range of services, and the results it provided to its extensive client list.

Attracting Suitors: Strategic Marketing of Heart of the Sun for Acquisition

Merge created a comprehensive marketing strategy to highlight Heart of the Sun’s unique value, its lucrative e-commerce niche, and its potential for growth, thereby attracting prospective buyers who were aligned with the agency’s ethos.

Sealing the Deal: Perfect Matchmaking with the Ideal Buyer

The ideal acquisition partner was found in The Engine is Red, a Santa Rosa-based agency. Their shared values and approach to client relationships made them a perfect fit for Heart of the Sun.

Unlocking Synergies: Positive Impacts Post-Transaction

The acquisition by The Engine is Red promised to bolster Heart of the Sun’s growth, enhance its service offerings, and expand its market reach, while maintaining its core values and culture.

Finding a New Home: The Merge Difference

Merge played a crucial role in this acquisition, expertly aligning Heart of the Sun with a buyer that matched both its strategic objectives and cultural ethos, ensuring a successful future for the agency under the new partnership.