Orca Pacific to merge with MightyHive

MightyHive strengthens eCommerce capabilities in merger with Seattle-based Amazon managed-service provider Orca Pacific

By STS News Desk On Jul 31, 2020

S⁴Capital plc (SFOR.L), the tech-led, new age, new era digital advertising and marketing services company, announces that its data and programmatic media practice MightyHive intends to merge with Orca Pacific, a market leading full-service Amazon agency and boutique consultancy firm based out of Seattle.

The deal builds on S⁴Capital’s existing Amazon relationship, equipping teams with an end-to-end eCommerce offering, including retail management, advertising and content on Amazon’s platform, which can bridge the gap between media, creative and measurement more broadly to deliver additional expertise and services capabilities for SMB, Mid-Market and Enterprise clients.

This is S⁴Capital’s first merger since successfully raising £116m in an equity placement to fund its M&A strategy and the third since covid-19 hit hard, as the Company continues to expand its functional capabilities and geographical coverage, without prejudicing its balance sheet.

Orca Pacific, founded in 2008 by John Ghiorso, helps top consumer brands optimize their customer journey and grow their Amazon business through a combination of expertise and industry-leading technology. The company employs over 40 former Amazonians and retail industry experts and partners with clients including Reebok, Uni-ball, OshKosh B’gosh, Godiva, Del Monte and Kenroy Home.

Morgan Stanley’s recent “Mid-year US Advertising Outlook” Report predicted US eCommerce would grow 38% this year vs a pre-covid-19 projection of 13%, effectively pulling forward three years of eCommerce adoption into 2020 to represent 24.5% penetration of total adjusted retail sales. The Morgan Stanley Alphawise survey revealed “74% of people shopping online started on Amazon” illustrating the strength of Amazon as a gateway to eCommerce.

S⁴Capital Executive Chairman Sir Martin Sorrell said, “We are delighted to welcome John and his colleagues to S⁴Capital. Amazon has become synonymous with eCommerce and it is both an important client and partner for us at S⁴Capital. The merger with Orca Pacific allows us to extend that partnership and provide a full range of eCommerce and Marketplace services to our clients. Stronger partnerships with the key platforms and the leading software and hardware suppliers are increasingly key for our clients and ourselves.”

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