617 Collective, a New York-based holding company focused on founder-led marketing, PR, and creative agencies, announced it has acquired Nominee Design, an Oklahoma-based strategic brand and creative studio. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The deal adds Nominee to what 617 Collective describes as a “partner-holdco” model, positioning the firm as an alternative to traditional agency roll-ups that often centralize operations and subsume acquired brands. Under the agreement, Nominee will continue operating under its existing name and leadership team, and 617 Collective said it does not anticipate changes to Nominee’s staff, client relationships, or day-to-day operations.
Nominee was founded in 2010 and has built a reputation around human-centered brand building, thoughtful design, and storytelling. The studio’s work includes projects for a mix of corporate, nonprofit, and civic organizations, including Jack Daniel’s, the Osage Nation, MLS STEM Goals, the Clara Luper Civil Rights Center, the OU Foundation, and Oklahoma City Will Rogers International Airport.
617 Collective said it aims to provide shared infrastructure, strategic guidance and long-term capital while preserving each agency’s culture and creative autonomy. The acquisition comes as consolidation continues across marketing and creative services, with some founders seeking structures that balance scale with independence.
KEY QUOTES:
“The holding-company model in our industry is broken. Scale has too often come at the expense of culture, creativity, and founder leadership. We built 617 Collective to be the opposite of a roll-up. Nominee proves that you can create real scale by backing founders, protecting independence, and letting great teams do their best work.”
Cynthia Monroy, Managing Partner, 617 Collective
“I founded Nominee in 2010 to solve creative problems by putting people first. We care deeply about the human impact of design, and believe responsible branding drives remarkable work. Partnering with 617 Collective allows us to stay true to that philosophy while gaining a long-term partner that respects founder leadership and supports sustainable, intentional growth.”
Matt Stansberry, Founder and CEO, Nominee
“This partnership gives us the resources and perspective to think longer-term about our people, our clients, and the kind of work we want to put into the world. 617 Collective understands that enduring brands are built by empowered teams, not centralized control.”
Bryan Clifton, Partner, Nominee
