Kick and THREAD In Twin Cities Merger

Kick, an independently owned branding and design agency servicing brands that transform the health and wellness of humans and pets, has merged with Minneapolis-based agency THREAD Connected Content. 

Kick and THREAD have complementary offerings of strategy, brand building, design, campaigns, digital, content and video development that connect and create engagement for brands and their audiences. A synergy in creative approaches, rooted in strategy and insights, made the merger desirable to Kick in amplifying campaign, video and digital capabilities. Nicole Ackmann will remain the Executive Creative Director of THREAD and oversee a team of THREAD creative and account members, in addition to collaborating on Kick initiatives.

“Over the past few years, Kick has experienced growth with existing and new clients. As our clients entrust us with more, we wanted to enhance our strengths in campaign development to help better serve them — and mentor our own team” said Mary Kemp, co-founder and president, Kick. “Nicole and THREAD have been on our radar for a while. The more conversations we had, the more it made sense to merge and help fuel our mutual growth.”

THREAD’s former owner, Tim Deis, was ready to retire and the merger was finalized in mid-May. THREAD Connected Content will now become THREAD, a division of Kick. Business operations will become one under Kick’s corporate umbrella; THREAD will continue to operate separately while joining Kick at their South Minneapolis location. 

“We have seen an evolution of our clients’ needs for the partnership we can offer as one,” says  Ackmann. “Clients need a nimble, strategic, creative partner that embraces their brands and communities effectively and quickly. We foster our teams to be today’s renaissance people in how they think and approach their work holistically.” 

Co-founder and Creative Director Stefan Hartung of Kick adds, “We continuously strengthen our capabilities, our expertise and our people — so we can build a better future for our clients and partners. Future doesn’t just happen. Future is something you create.”