Impact XM and Jack Morton have announced a merger that will create one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive experiential marketing agencies, operating under the Jack Morton name.
Backed by global investment firm The Riverside Company, the combined agency will bring together more than 1,000 specialists across creative, strategy, production, fabrication and digital innovation, with a footprint spanning 20 offices across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
The merged business will deliver an integrated experiential offer covering large-scale conferences, brand activations, sponsorships, trade shows, corporate events, B2B experiences and healthcare congresses, serving a global client base that includes numerous Fortune 100 brands.
Jared Pollacco, CEO of Impact XM, said the merger accelerates the agency’s move towards a more integrated global model. “We’ve always believed that creativity, innovation and exceptional execution are what move people. This union brings together Impact XM’s unified experiential approach and Jack Morton’s global scale and creative strength,” he said.
Craig Millon, CEO of Jack Morton, described the deal as “a pivotal moment” for the agency. “Together, we’re building an organisation ready for a marketing landscape reshaped by AI, while keeping real, human experience at the centre. Our combined capabilities allow us to offer deeper expertise, broader scale and a true end-to-end model for clients,” he said.
Following completion, Pollacco will become CEO of the unified agency, with Millon taking on the role of global president. Former Jack Morton CEO Josh McCall will serve as executive chairman of the board.
The merger is subject to customary approvals and is expected to complete in Q1 2026. Jack Morton’s move into private ownership follows its sale by Omnicom, enabling the newly combined agency to operate independently under a shared growth strategy.
Editor's view
M&IT editor Paul Harvey says: "The Impact XM/Jack Morton merger signals a continued shift towards larger, fully integrated global agencies, increasing competitive pressure on mid-sized UK event businesses. For planners, client expectations around end-to-end delivery, measurable impact and global consistency are likely to rise. At the same time, the move creates fresh opportunities for UK planners and agencies to stand out through specialist expertise, agility and deep local knowledge."
