In a recent strategic move, digital marketing agency One Great Studio Company Limited (1GS) successfully acquired the business of marketing, media and public relations firm DRT Communications Limited.

The transaction valued at $115 million also includes a $35-million performance-based earnout over three years.

Ryan Strachan, CEO of Sweat Equity Holdings, was named as the lead arranger in the multimillion-dollar transaction.

Founder of DRT Communications Danielle Terrelonge, having operated the company for the last 17 years, told the Jamaica Observer in an interview on Tuesday that the sale of the business at this time aligns with its long-term strategic growth ambitions.

“We view this sale as a tremendous opportunity for our growth as the values, growth and culture of 1GS perfectly align with that of DRT Communications. We are even more excited about becoming a part of their ‘House of Brands’, which will allows us to take our technology and marketing services to the wider Caribbean, also in sync with the vision of 1GS,” she said to the Business Observer.

“This [deal] represents a new era for us, allowing us to be a part of a successful publicly listed company. With the type of results and performance that 1GS has shown to the market, it proves to be a really great fit for us. As we become a division under 1GS, this will allow us to offer more services to existing clients as we also get the chance to offer some of the services of 1GS to them and vice versa,” she added.

Promising a smooth transition, Terrelonge, who is to assume the role of head of marketing communications, PR, strategic communications and media monitoring at 1GS, has been tasked with ensuring that all DRT employees are transferred to the payroll of 1GS. This, as both entities commit to the continuity of service and the leveraging of resources even as they join forces to deliver greater value for clients.

“Even as I operate from a new position, I plan to be here for the long haul. This merger is a part of a long-term vision and I want to be a part of it and we are lucky to have full alignment with a strong leadership team that will ensure our growth. We have inherited a fantastic parent, one with shared values and culture. It’s been 17 years that I’ve run DRT Communications, so to now be part of a wider leadership team and strong leadership company, this can only enhance our growth and for me there are absolutely no reservations, its actually all excitement,” Terrelonge further said.

DRT having led marketing communications strategies for over 100 brands, has since the time of its establishment in 2008 continued to deliver public relations and crisis management services to a growing number of Caribbean businesses, multinational corporations, and government agencies.

Djuvane Browne, CEO of 1GS, commenting on the acquisition, said that by bringing DRT Communications into the 1GS ecosystem, his company is now positioned to offer a full suite of solutions, blending technology, creative storytelling, and real-time media intelligence.

“I am excited about the tremendous opportunities that the combined expertise of our teams will bring,” he said in a joint media release.

Listed on the junior market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange since September 2023, 1GS which also owns and operates HV Digital LLC, a US-based SEO agency, has over the last decade offered a wide range of digital marketing services to a large pool of local and international clients. Following its addition of a video production line late last year the company has been on a mission to further build out its business portfolio as it pushes to grow revenues.

Up to the end of the nine-month period ending September 30, 2024, the company’s revenues totalled $261.5 million coupled with net profit of $30.6 million.