In a strategic move that strengthens its coast-to-coast presence and full-funnel prowess, AI-powered media agency Brainlabs has acquired Exverus Media, the award-winning Los Angeles shop named Adweek’s 2024 Breakthrough Media Agency of the Year.
With the acquisition, Brainlabs cements itself as a single agency of record (AOR) contender across both digital and traditional media. For clients, that means one unified partner managing everything from TV buys to programmatic, from paid search to retail media—and doing it all with a blend of AI smarts and human insight.
From Silver Lake to Global Scale
Founded in L.A., Exverus Media has carved a niche in performance-driven, cross-channel campaigns, handling over $100 million in annual media spend for brands like Premier Protein, Dymatize, and New Belgium Brewing. The agency’s trophy shelf includes three Ad Age Small Media Agency of the Year wins, eight Adweek Media Plan of the Year awards, and three Cannes Lions finalist nods. But it’s not just about accolades—it’s about execution.
“Exverus has built its reputation on transforming how brands approach media,” said Bill Durrant, co-founder of Exverus. “This isn’t a handoff; it’s a scale-up. Same team, same approach—now with access to greater tools, tech, and reach.”
That reach now stretches nationwide. Brainlabs’ acquisition of Exverus plants its flag firmly on the West Coast, completing its U.S. expansion while doubling down on its ambition to become the modern blueprint for independent media agencies.
Real Intelligence Meets Real Results
What makes this deal more than just a territory grab is how neatly the two agencies’ philosophies align. Both are founder-led, results-focused, and deeply committed to marrying data with creativity. Where Exverus brings award-winning full-funnel planning and cross-channel execution, Brainlabs brings AI-powered optimization and scale.
“The future of media isn’t about choosing between digital or traditional,” said Daniel Gilbert, Founder and CEO of Brainlabs. “Real Intelligence means knowing how to orchestrate both. With Exverus, we’re creating what I believe is the gold standard for modern media agencies.”
Brainlabs’ Real Intelligence framework blends AI algorithms with human strategy to anticipate consumer behavior, optimize spend, and measure what actually matters—business outcomes. With Exverus in the mix, that framework now extends to TV, retail media, and offline channels with greater fluency.
Why It Matters
For marketers under pressure to deliver returns in an increasingly fragmented media world, this partnership couldn’t come at a better time. The average consumer jumps between screens and platforms constantly, making it harder to reach them, let alone influence action. Brands are demanding unified strategies—and fewer agency silos.
This deal delivers just that: a one-stop media powerhouse capable of crafting cohesive narratives across platforms while measuring impact in real time.
And clients won’t lose the personal touch. Talia Arnold, Managing Director of Exverus, emphasizes continuity. “Our clients will continue to work with the same passionate team they know and trust,” she said, “but now with capabilities that can elevate performance even further.”
In a sea of holding companies and fractured vendor relationships, Brainlabs + Exverus looks like a deliberate bet on what independent agencies can still offer: agility, accountability, and results.
