Hawke Media has expanded its capabilities in the entertainment sector through the acquisition of Lemonade, a renowned agency specializing in branded entertainment, gaming, and blockchain activations. This move is poised to enhance Hawke Media’s performance marketing services significantly.
Erik Huberman, CEO of Hawke Media, emphasized that the acquisition marks a strategic step towards dominating the marketing arena, particularly in gaming and entertainment. By integrating Lemonade’s production expertise, Hawke Media aims to deliver high-quality branded entertainment content through Hawke Studios.
Lemonade, known for its narrative-driven campaigns and the innovative Story 360 process, has built a strong reputation since 2018, working with notable clients such as Disney, Free Fire, Square Enix, Meta, TikTok, and Dior.
Trevor Dudeck, Lemonade’s CEO, highlighted their success in the production industry and expressed excitement about leveraging Hawke Media’s resources to expand further into branded entertainment.
Hawke Media’s acquisition strategy has been robust, with at least 10 high-profile acquisitions since 2018, contributing to a valuation surpassing $150 million. The company boasts a diverse client portfolio including Verizon, Barstool Sports, and Funko. Despite the acquisition, Hawke Media intends to retain Lemonade’s existing staff, ensuring continuity and expertise in their specialized areas.
Rowan Brooks, Lemonade’s cofounder, emphasized the growing demand for long-form content like shows and branded films. He anticipates leveraging Lemonade’s storytelling prowess to captivate audiences while delivering the performance-driven results that clients rely on to achieve their business objectives.
The acquisition of Lemonade by Hawke Media represents a strategic alignment to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for compelling branded entertainment, further solidifying Hawke Media’s position in the competitive marketing landscape.