TORONTO—By merging with Toronto-based Casco Design and Communications, ClarkHuot is continuing its efforts to build a "micro agency network," said Ed Huot, creative director at the New York-based brand consulting and digital design service firm. Earlier in August, ClarkHuot acquired Winnipeg's Vantage Studios.

"What we're looking to do is identify practices out there that have potential, and then bring them together with other types of firms," Huot said. The company's branches can then make use of each other's respective expertise, "so that they can now become more valuable," he said.

Consolidation and synergy has become a common strategy with larger, prestigious firms like Bruce Mau, said Huot. "But what about all the other agencies out there that aren't necessarily on the front cover of Marketing magazine? They're not the 'rock star' firms but they work hard and do really good work," he said, referring to Casco and Vantage.  

Diego Casco, formerly creative director at Casco, is now managing director of ClarkHuot's Toronto office. ClarkHuot will take on Casco Design's clients, who, according to Casco, will benefit from the firm's new added capabilities and larger team. "We continue to serve our clients, and we have the ability now to offer them a larger platform of services," Casco said. Casco Design's local clients have included Woodbine Entertainment Group, Toronto Grace Health Centre Foundation and Ontario Gaming Lottery Slots and Casinos.

Casco Design has also done work in Costa Rica, and ClarkHuot plans to leverage that presence within the year, said the duo. According to Casco, there will be no staff changes at the Toronto office and the company may be hiring more employees in the near future.