Publicis Groupe Acquires Sports Marketing Firm Adopt to Deepen Cultural Brand Engagement
New partnership boosts Publicis Connected Media’s footprint in sports, culture, and creativity-driven brand marketing
Publicis Groupe has acquired Adopt, a Portland-based sports marketing agency founded in 2021 by David Creech, Josh Moore, and sports agent Rich Paul, the founder of Klutch Sports Group. This move strengthens Publicis Groupe’s capabilities in cultural storytelling through sport, while also expanding its offerings under Publicis Connected Media.
Strengthening Cultural Relevance in Media
Adopt will now operate as part of Publicis Connected Media, enhancing services in media, commerce, CRM, influencer marketing, data, and digital strategy. The agency specializes in connecting brands to culture using the influence of sports and athletes. It has previously collaborated with clients such as Lululemon, Visa, and global sports icons including LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Leadership Weighs In
Dave Penski, Global CEO at Publicis Connected Media, said:
“Adopt brings a sharp understanding of how sports and culture intersect. Their unique approach to blending creativity with real-world behavior offers our clients a powerful tool to modernize their brands in meaningful ways.”
Rich Paul added:
“Adopt was born out of a desire to help brands tell authentic stories through the lens of sports. This partnership gives us a global platform to scale that impact.”
Founders to Continue Leading the Charge
David Creech and Josh Moore, with over 50 years of combined experience in brand design, strategy, and consumer experience, will continue to lead Adopt. Their team’s deep-rooted expertise in blending sport with cultural insights will now be available across Publicis Groupe’s vast client ecosystem.
A Strategic Growth Milestone
This is Publicis Groupe’s fourth acquisition in 2025, reinforcing its long-term strategy of investing in cultural relevance and media innovation. With sports becoming a key pillar in modern storytelling, the acquisition ensures that Publicis can help brands create stronger emotional connections with audiences around the world.