{
  "meta": {
    "title": "Agency Consolidation & Mortality Index — event registry v1",
    "compiled": "2026-08-31",
    "method": "Events harvested from the 16 B2B Buyer Lab agency/tool datasets (data/agencies-*.json, data/tools.json) and research notes 01-18, then live-verified 2026-08-31: domain behavior checked via HTTP fetch (status + final redirect URL); missing dates/acquirers filled from press coverage via live web search; deaths carry 2+ press/news sources where available. domain_behavior_now reflects a live check on 2026-08-31 unless marked otherwise.",
    "event_types": [
      "acquired",
      "merged",
      "closed",
      "rebranded",
      "brand-retired",
      "PE-rollup"
    ],
    "acquirer_types": [
      "strategic-agency",
      "global-SI",
      "holding-company",
      "PE",
      "platform-vendor",
      "media-owner",
      "none"
    ],
    "note": "Where one company had multiple stages (acquired, then brand retired), a single record carries the full chain; event_date is the primary (first ownership-change) date and brand_retired_date carries the later death."
  },
  "events": [
    {
      "company": "Builtvisible",
      "category": "ai-seo",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Brave Bison",
      "acquirer_type": "holding-company",
      "event_date": "2025-03",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://builtvisible.com/brave-bison-acquires-builtvisible/"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Go Fish Digital",
      "category": "ai-seo",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Agital",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2024-02-06",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/02/06/2824407/0/en/Agital-Acquires-Go-Fish-Digital-Harnessing-Visionary-AI-Technologies-Award-Winning-SEO-Expertise.html",
        "https://www.cmswire.com/the-wire/agital-acquires-go-fish-digital-harnessing-visionary-ai-technologies-award-winning-seo-expertise/"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Internet Marketing Ninjas",
      "category": "ai-seo",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Previsible",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2025-05",
      "evidence_urls": [],
      "source_dataset": "agencies-ai-seo.json (Previsible record; also acquired Improove US, 2025-11)",
      "domain_behavior_now": "not re-checked",
      "brand_status": "absorbed into Previsible",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "UpBuild",
      "category": "ai-seo",
      "event_type": "closed",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "none",
      "acquirer_type": "none",
      "event_date": "2023-09 (closure announced; wound down end of 2023)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ruthburr_upbuild-is-closing-after-8-amazing-years-activity-7105572850291400704-OPN3",
        "https://www.upbuild.io/blog/next-chapter/"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "dead/erroring (504; previously observed repurposed by an unrelated link-selling operation — active buyer trap)",
      "brand_status": "dead",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "KoMarketing",
      "category": "seo",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Walker Sands",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2023-01-12",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005169/en/Walker-Sands-Acquires-B2B-Demand-Generation-Agency-KoMarketing"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "dead (TLS handshake fails — broken WP Engine fallback cert; brand sunsetting into Walker Sands)",
      "brand_status": "brand sunsetting",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Sure Oak",
      "category": "seo",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Ajax Equity Partners (Nick Fraunfelder; SBA 7(a)-financed buyout)",
      "acquirer_type": "PE",
      "event_date": "2024 (month not press-verified)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://gomerge.com/agency-transactions/sure-oak-acquisition-by-ajax-equity-partners/",
        "https://gomerge.com/blog/sba-7a-acquisition-success-story/"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "RevenueZen",
      "category": "seo",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Onfolio Holdings (2024); SEO/GEO team folded into sister company Eastern Standard — brand now 'RevenueZen by Eastern Standard'",
      "acquirer_type": "holding-company",
      "event_date": "2024",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://onfolio.com/how-we-added-5-9m-in-revenue-with-zero-dollars-down/",
        "https://www.stocktitan.net/news/ONFO/onfolio-holdings-inc-releases-shareholder-j6cbirawxg4y.html",
        "https://clutch.co/profile/revenuezen-eastern-standard"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live (co-branded)",
      "brand_status": "brand folding into Eastern Standard",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "OuterBox",
      "category": "geo-aeo",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "WILsquare Capital",
      "acquirer_type": "PE",
      "event_date": "2022",
      "evidence_urls": [],
      "source_dataset": "agencies-geo.json",
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "accelerate agency",
      "category": "seo",
      "event_type": "closed",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "none (wind-down)",
      "acquirer_type": "none",
      "event_date": "unknown (wind-down state observed 2026-08-31)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://accelerateagency.ai/ (301-redirects to founder Nick Brown's LinkedIn profile — verified live 2026-08-31)"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "redirects to founder's LinkedIn profile; directories still list the agency as active",
      "brand_status": "dead",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "Walker Sands",
      "category": "digital-pr",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Mountaingate Capital",
      "acquirer_type": "PE",
      "event_date": "2025-10",
      "evidence_urls": [],
      "source_dataset": "agencies-digital-pr.json",
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained (itself a roll-up acquirer: KoMarketing 2023, RevPartners 2026)",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "Growth Machine",
      "category": "content",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "MBE Group",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2025-01-16",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://performanceracing.com/magazine/industry-news/01-30-2025/mbe-group-acquires-growth-machine-content-marketing-agency",
        "https://www.vehicleservicepros.com/distribution/parts-distributor/industry-news/news/55264540/mbe-group-acquires-digital-marketing-agency-growth-machine"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "dead (no response on growthmachine.com or www variant)",
      "brand_status": "dead",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Influence & Co.",
      "category": "content",
      "event_type": "brand-retired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Intero Digital (joined 2022-02; brand retired to 'Intero Digital Content & PR Division')",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2022-02 (acquisition)",
      "brand_retired_date": "2023-06",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/content-marketing-agency-influence--co-adopts-intero-digital-brand-301840697.html",
        "https://www.martechcube.com/content-marketing-agency-influence-co-adopts-intero-digital-brand/"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "redirects to interodigital.com",
      "brand_status": "dead",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "ClearVoice",
      "category": "content",
      "event_type": "brand-retired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Fiverr ($20M: $12M cash + $8M contingent)",
      "acquirer_type": "platform-vendor",
      "event_date": "2019-02-13 (acquisition)",
      "brand_retired_date": "by 2026 (domain folded into fiverr.com)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://techcrunch.com/2019/02/13/fiverr-acquires-clearvoice/",
        "https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/02/13/1724575/0/en/Fiverr-Acquires-Premium-Subscription-Based-Content-Marketing-Platform-ClearVoice.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "301-redirects to fiverr.com homepage",
      "brand_status": "dead",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Velocity Partners",
      "category": "content",
      "event_type": "merged",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Pretzl (Next 15 unification of Agent3 Group, Publitek, This Machine, Velocity, Twogether — ~300 staff)",
      "acquirer_type": "holding-company",
      "event_date": "2025-10-22 (announced; full market launch 2026-02)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/agencies-agent3-group-publitek-this-machine-velocity-and-twogether-unify-to-form-b2b-marketing-powerhouse-pretzl-302590434.html",
        "https://www.odwyerpr.com/story/public/23789/2025-10-22/pr-firm-news-next-15-consolidates-b2b-shops.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live (pre-migration)",
      "brand_status": "brand sunsetting",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Uplift Content",
      "category": "content",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Klimt & Design (founder Emily Amos departed)",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2025-03-07",
      "evidence_urls": [],
      "source_dataset": "agencies-content.json",
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained; leadership continuity unclear",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "Skyword",
      "category": "content",
      "event_type": "merged",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "TrackMaven (merger of equals)",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2018",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://martechseries.com/content/content-marketing/trackmaven-skyword-merge-deliver-best-class-content-marketing-platform/"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Longitude (FT Longitude)",
      "category": "content",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Financial Times (controlling stake)",
      "acquirer_type": "media-owner",
      "event_date": "2018-02",
      "evidence_urls": [],
      "source_dataset": "agencies-content.json",
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained (FT Longitude)",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "Metric Theory",
      "category": "paid-media",
      "event_type": "brand-retired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "S4 Capital → merged into MightyHive → Media.Monks → Monks",
      "acquirer_type": "holding-company",
      "event_date": "2021-01-04 (acquisition announced)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.thedrum.com/news/2021/01/04/s4-capital-kicks-2021-with-decoded-and-metric-theory-acquisitions",
        "https://www.adweek.com/agencies/exclusive-s4-capital-acquires-two-agencies-signals-more-to-come-in-2021/",
        "https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/359297/why-sorrells-s4-capital-acquired-performance-agen.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "LIVE — metrictheory.com serves a full standalone agency site (verified 2026-09-05); acquisition (S4/Media.Monks, 2021) is real but brand not absorbed as previously recorded",
      "brand_status": "dead",
      "confidence": "high",
      "correction": {
        "date": "2026-09-05",
        "note": "OUR-ERROR fixed per research/19: reframed from brand-absorbed to acquired-with-standalone-site; do not use as dead-brand exhibit until zombie-vs-active verified"
      }
    },
    {
      "company": "Tuff",
      "category": "paid-media",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Goodway Group",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2022-03",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/371719/goodway-group-makes-its-first-ma-deal-acquiring.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "WebMechanix",
      "category": "paid-media",
      "event_type": "brand-retired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Level Agency",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2024-05",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/level-agency-acquires-webmechanix-302147858.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "301-redirects to level.agency (redirect even tagged utm_content=webmechanix_301_redirect)",
      "brand_status": "dead",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Connectively (HARO)",
      "category": "digital-pr",
      "event_type": "closed",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Cision (owner; retired the platform in favor of CisionOne)",
      "acquirer_type": "platform-vendor",
      "event_date": "2024-12-09",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.seroundtable.com/haro-connectively-platform-closing-38388.html",
        "https://www.cision.com/connectively-has-been-discontinued/"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "discontinued (owner confirmation page live)",
      "brand_status": "dead",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "xFunnel",
      "category": "aeo-tools",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "HubSpot (~$30M reported)",
      "acquirer_type": "platform-vendor",
      "event_date": "2025-10-31",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.hubspot.com/company-news/hubspot-to-acquire-xfunnel",
        "https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/rkn4z5vy11e",
        "https://ppc.land/hubspot-acquires-xfunnel-to-strengthen-answer-engine-optimization/"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live (transition)",
      "brand_status": "folding into Marketing Hub",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Hall",
      "category": "aeo-tools",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Tracksuit",
      "acquirer_type": "platform-vendor",
      "event_date": "2026-07-20",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.adweek.com/media/tracksuit-acquires-ai-brand-monitoring-startup-hall/",
        "https://www.prweb.com/releases/tracksuit-acquires-hall-to-bring-ai-visibility-into-brand-tracking-and-establishes-executive-team-302828981.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live (transition)",
      "brand_status": "folding into Tracksuit",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Analytics Pros",
      "category": "analytics-ops",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Adswerve (Abry Partners-backed)",
      "acquirer_type": "PE",
      "event_date": "2018",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://abry.com/news-article/abry-partners-backed-adswerve-acquires-analytics-pros/"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "absorbed",
      "brand_status": "absorbed",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Napkyn",
      "category": "analytics-ops",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Kepler Group (kyu Collective)",
      "acquirer_type": "holding-company",
      "event_date": "2021-12-15",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/12/15/2352752/0/en/Kepler-Group-Acquires-Napkyn-Analytics-to-Help-Clients-Fully-Leverage-Google-Marketing-Platform.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Elevar",
      "category": "analytics-ops",
      "event_type": "brand-retired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Buxton (2024-01) → folded into Audiense (2025-07); product now 'Audiense Online powered by Elevar'",
      "acquirer_type": "platform-vendor",
      "event_date": "2024-01 (acquisition)",
      "brand_retired_date": "2025-07-18",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/07/18/3117770/0/en/Buxton-Elevar-and-Audiense-Unite-Under-a-New-Brand-Audiense.html",
        "https://www.buxtonco.com/blog/buxton-acquires-audiense-to-accelerate-innovation-in-consumer-intelligence-and-engagement"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "getelevar.com 301-redirects to audiense.com/products/audiense-online",
      "brand_status": "dead (as standalone)",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Actable",
      "category": "analytics-ops",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Ekimetrics (its first-ever acquisition; cornerstone of North America 'Elevate' plan)",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2026-02-02",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260202475996/en/Ekimetrics-Signs-First-Acquisition-Moving-Towards-Global-Leadership-in-Data-and-AI-Deployment"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "not re-checked",
      "brand_status": "acquired",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "fifty-five",
      "category": "analytics-ops",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "You & Mr Jones (now The Brandtech Group) — majority stake",
      "acquirer_type": "holding-company",
      "event_date": "2016-01",
      "evidence_urls": [],
      "source_dataset": "agencies-analytics-ops.json",
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "Widerfunnel + Conversion.com",
      "category": "analytics-ops",
      "event_type": "merged",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Conversion (conversion.com)",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2022-07",
      "evidence_urls": [],
      "source_dataset": "agencies-analytics-ops.json",
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "Widerfunnel brand retired into Conversion",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "Bounteous",
      "category": "analytics-ops",
      "event_type": "merged",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Accolite (New Mountain Capital-backed; ~5,000 staff combined)",
      "acquirer_type": "PE",
      "event_date": "2024-02",
      "evidence_urls": [],
      "source_dataset": "agencies-analytics-ops.json",
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained (Bounteous x Accolite)",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "Perkuto",
      "category": "analytics-ops",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "MERGE (Keystone Capital-backed roll-up)",
      "acquirer_type": "PE",
      "event_date": "2021-09-30",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210930005679/en/MERGE-Acquires-Perkuto-to-Orchestrate-the-Rhythm-of-Marketing-Operations-Platforms"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "absorbed",
      "brand_status": "absorbed",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "RevPartners",
      "category": "platform-crm",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Walker Sands",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2026-06",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.walkersands.com/about/blog/walker-sands-acquires-revpartners/"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Ragnarok",
      "category": "analytics-ops",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Apply Digital",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2025-02-28 (closed)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.applydigital.com/insights/news/apply-digital-acquires-ragnarok/",
        "https://www.ragnarokmarketing.com/2025/03/07/apply-digital-acquires-ragnarok/",
        "https://www.consulting.us/news/11526/apply-digital-acquires-martech-agency-ragnarok"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained ('an Apply Digital company')",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Blast Analytics (consulting arm)",
      "category": "analytics-ops",
      "event_type": "rebranded",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "BlastX Consulting",
      "acquirer_type": "none",
      "event_date": "2020",
      "evidence_urls": [],
      "source_dataset": "agencies-analytics-ops.json",
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "renamed",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "CXL agency arm",
      "category": "analytics-ops",
      "event_type": "rebranded",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Speero (spin-off; CXL.com is now training-only)",
      "acquirer_type": "none",
      "event_date": "2020 (spin-off announced 2021-01)",
      "evidence_urls": [],
      "source_dataset": "agencies-analytics-ops.json",
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "renamed",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "Mission Cloud Services",
      "category": "cloud-data",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "CDW",
      "acquirer_type": "global-SI",
      "event_date": "2024-12-02 (announced)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://investor.cdw.com/news/news-details/2024/CDW-Announces-Acquisition-of-Mission-Cloud-Services-Inc--a-leading-US-based-Amazon-Web-Services-AWS-Premier-Tier-Partner/default.aspx",
        "https://www.channele2e.com/news/cdw-acquisition-mission-cloud-named-aws-security-partner-of-the-year"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained (a CDW company)",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "3Cloud",
      "category": "cloud-data",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Cognizant (from Gryphon Investors)",
      "acquirer_type": "global-SI",
      "event_date": "2025-11 (announced; completed per Gryphon PR)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.consulting.us/news/12654/cognizant-expands-microsoft-azure-practice-with-3cloud-acquisition"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained inside Cognizant",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Hakkoda",
      "category": "cloud-data",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "IBM",
      "acquirer_type": "global-SI",
      "event_date": "2025-04-02 (closed)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://newsroom.ibm.com/2025-04-07-ibm-acquires-hakkoda-inc-,-expanding-data-expertise-to-fuel-clients-ai-transformations"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live ('an IBM company'; Snowflake directory tier badge disappeared post-acquisition)",
      "brand_status": "brand retained inside IBM",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Trek10",
      "category": "cloud-data",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Caylent (Gryphon Investors-backed)",
      "acquirer_type": "PE",
      "event_date": "2025-10",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/caylent-acquires-trek10-to-create-the-most-comprehensive-dedicated-aws-services-partner-in-the-industry-302590224.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "trek10.com redirects to caylent.com",
      "brand_status": "absorbed",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Pragmatic Works (consulting arm)",
      "category": "cloud-data",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "3Cloud",
      "acquirer_type": "PE",
      "event_date": "2023",
      "evidence_urls": [],
      "source_dataset": "agencies-cloud-data.json (3Cloud record)",
      "domain_behavior_now": "absorbed",
      "brand_status": "absorbed",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "Qwinix + Cloudbakers + Pandera Systems",
      "category": "cloud-data",
      "event_type": "PE-rollup",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "66degrees (Sunstone Partners; merged 2021, rebranded 2022-01, Pandera added 2022-10)",
      "acquirer_type": "PE",
      "event_date": "2021",
      "evidence_urls": [],
      "source_dataset": "agencies-cloud-data.json",
      "domain_behavior_now": "live (as 66degrees)",
      "brand_status": "predecessor brands retired",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "Strong Analytics",
      "category": "cloud-data",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "OneSix (Superstep Capital-backed)",
      "acquirer_type": "PE",
      "event_date": "2024",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/onesix-acquires-strong-analytics-a-leader-in-machine-learning-and-artificial-intelligence-302168292.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "absorbed",
      "brand_status": "absorbed",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "CTI Data",
      "category": "cloud-data",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "OneSix",
      "acquirer_type": "PE",
      "event_date": "2026",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/onesix-enters-next-phase-of-growth-with-acquisition-of-cti-data-and-board-expansion-302655961.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "absorbed",
      "brand_status": "absorbed",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Fractional AI",
      "category": "cloud-data",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Ode with Anthropic (Anthropic + Blackstone + Hellman & Friedman JV)",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2026-05",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.fractional.ai/press-releases/the-ai-native-enterprise-services-firm-announces-acquisition-of-fractional-ai"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live (transition)",
      "brand_status": "becoming core of Ode",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Casper Studios",
      "category": "cloud-data",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Ode with Anthropic (second acquisition in 3 months)",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2026-08",
      "evidence_urls": [],
      "source_dataset": "agencies-cloud-data.json",
      "domain_behavior_now": "live (casperstudios.xyz hops to casperstudios.com)",
      "brand_status": "acquired",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "Tryolabs",
      "category": "cloud-data",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Qubika (Recognize PE-backed); founder Alan Descoins becomes Qubika Chief AI Officer",
      "acquirer_type": "PE",
      "event_date": "2026-08 (announced)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://tryolabs.com/newsroom/qubika-acquires-tryolabs",
        "https://www.prweb.com/releases/qubika-acquires-ai-pioneer-tryolabs-and-appoints-alan-descoins-as-chief-ai-officer-302849345.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live (transition)",
      "brand_status": "15-year independent ML boutique folding into Qubika",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Mashey",
      "category": "cloud-data",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Analytics8 (Boathouse Capital-backed)",
      "acquirer_type": "PE",
      "event_date": "2022-09",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/analytics8-acquires-high-end-data-analytics-consultancy-mashey-301630299.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "absorbed",
      "brand_status": "absorbed",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Cloudnexa",
      "category": "cloud-data",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "nClouds",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "not captured",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.channele2e.com/news/aws-cloud-ma-nclouds-acquires-cloudnexa"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "absorbed",
      "brand_status": "absorbed",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "Work & Co",
      "category": "dev-design",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Accenture (Song); ~400 staff joined",
      "acquirer_type": "global-SI",
      "event_date": "2024-01-22 (completed; announced 2024-01-09)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://newsroom.accenture.com/news/2024/accenture-completes-acquisition-of-global-digital-product-company-work-and-co"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained inside Accenture Song",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "HappyFunCorp",
      "category": "dev-design",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Tiny ($30M, cash + shares)",
      "acquirer_type": "holding-company",
      "event_date": "2023-07",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://techcrunch.com/2023/07/03/tiny-acquires-happyfuncorp-the-prolific-firm-thats-built-apps-for-twitter-amazon-and-more-for-30m/"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained (second Tiny shop alongside MetaLab)",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Moove IT + December Labs",
      "category": "dev-design",
      "event_type": "PE-rollup",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Qubika (2023 merger; Recognize-backed; later added Nitra Security 2025-05 and Tryolabs 2026-08)",
      "acquirer_type": "PE",
      "event_date": "2023",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230517005355/en/"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live (as Qubika)",
      "brand_status": "predecessor brands retired",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Modernist Studio",
      "category": "dev-design",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Gorilla Logic (Sverica Capital-backed)",
      "acquirer_type": "PE",
      "event_date": "2021-08",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gorilla-logic-has-acquired-modernist-studio-301360643.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "absorbed",
      "brand_status": "absorbed",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Instrument",
      "category": "dev-design",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Stagwell (~$160M reported)",
      "acquirer_type": "holding-company",
      "event_date": "2022",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.stagwellglobal.com/stagwell-stgw-completes-acquisition-of-instrument-fast-growing-digital-transformation-company/"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained (headcount down from 400+ to 350+)",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "BASIC",
      "category": "dev-design",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "DEPT (co-brand BASIC/DEPT, since absorbed into global DEPT organization)",
      "acquirer_type": "holding-company",
      "event_date": "2020-11",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.adweek.com/agencyspy/dept-acquires-digital-design-agency-basic/"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live (basicagency.com serves 'BASIC/DEPT' co-brand)",
      "brand_status": "co-brand; buyers get DEPT, not the boutique",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "WillowTree",
      "category": "dev-design",
      "event_type": "brand-retired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "TELUS International ($1.225B EV; announced 2022-10-27, closed 2023-01-04); brand later retired — 'WillowTree is now TELUS Digital'",
      "acquirer_type": "global-SI",
      "event_date": "2023-01-04 (closed)",
      "brand_retired_date": "2024-2025 (TELUS Digital rebrand)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.telus.com/en/about/news-and-events/media-releases/telus-international-completes-acquisition-of-willowtree-a-full-service-digital-product-provider",
        "https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230104005128/en/TELUS-International-completes-acquisition-of-WillowTree-a-full-service-digital-product-provider"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "willowtreeapps.com redirects to telusdigital.com/willowtree-is-now-telus-digital",
      "brand_status": "dead",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Big Nerd Ranch",
      "category": "dev-design",
      "event_type": "brand-retired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "projekt202 (wholly-owned Amdocs subsidiary), 2020; later folded into Amdocs' Stellar Elements; bootcamps and book publishing sunset 2024-06",
      "acquirer_type": "global-SI",
      "event_date": "2020-06-04 (acquisition)",
      "brand_retired_date": "2024-06 (services sunset); site now fully dead",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.projekt202.com/projekt202-press/2020/projekt202-expands-to-atlanta-with-big-nerd-ranch-acquisition",
        "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/big-nerd-ranch-and-adk-group-to-combine-digital-product-and-web-development-expertise-through-recent-projekt202-acquisition-301257179.html",
        "https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/83391-49"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "dead (bignerdranch.com no response on any variant)",
      "brand_status": "dead — 23-year institution",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "The Stable",
      "category": "dev-design",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Accenture (Song)",
      "acquirer_type": "global-SI",
      "event_date": "2022-08-16 (completed; agreed 2022-07-13)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://newsroom.accenture.com/news/2022/accenture-completes-acquisition-of-commerce-agency-the-stable",
        "https://newsroom.accenture.com/news/2022/accenture-to-acquire-the-stable-to-bolster-its-commerce-transformation-expertise-in-north-america"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "absorbed",
      "brand_status": "absorbed (took Zehner and BVA/BVAccel with it)",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Zehner (and BVA/BVAccel)",
      "category": "platform-build",
      "event_type": "brand-retired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "The Stable (2021-12-13, alongside BVA) → Accenture (2022-08)",
      "acquirer_type": "global-SI",
      "event_date": "2021-12-13",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/369377/commerce-agency-the-stable-expands-with-two-acquis.html",
        "https://www.linkedin.com/company/zehner"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "zehnergroup.com redirects to accenture.com/us-en/services/sales-commerce",
      "brand_status": "dead",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Corra",
      "category": "commerce-platforms",
      "event_type": "brand-retired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Publicis Sapient (Publicis Groupe); team folded into PS commerce practice",
      "acquirer_type": "holding-company",
      "event_date": "2023-06-05 (announced)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.publicissapient.com/company/news/ps-acquires-corra",
        "https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/386005/publicis-groupe-acquires-commerce-powerhouse-corra.html",
        "https://www.publicisgroupe.com/en/news/press-releases/publicis-sapient-publicis-groupe-s-digital-business-transformation-company-announces-acquisition-of-corra-to-further-cement-leadership-in-the-adobe-implementation-space-in-north-america"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "corra.com redirects to publicissapient.com/solutions/commerce",
      "brand_status": "dead — 3x Adobe Commerce NA Partner of the Year pre-acquisition",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Gorilla Group",
      "category": "commerce-platforms",
      "event_type": "brand-retired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Wunderman Thompson (WPP) 2018 → rebranded WT Commerce & Technology → WT merged into VML 2024-01, brand fully retired",
      "acquirer_type": "holding-company",
      "event_date": "2018 (acquisition)",
      "brand_retired_date": "2024-01 (WT→VML merger)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://lbbonline.com/news/gorilla-group-rebrands-as-wunderman-thompson-commerce-and-technology"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "brand gone (absorbed into VML)",
      "brand_status": "dead",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Something Digital",
      "category": "commerce-platforms",
      "event_type": "brand-retired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Genpact → merged into Rightpoint (made Rightpoint a Gold Adobe Solution Partner)",
      "acquirer_type": "global-SI",
      "event_date": "2020-10-05",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://media.genpact.com/2020-10-05-Genpact-Continues-Its-Investment-in-Rightpoint-with-Acquisition-of-eCommerce-Agency,-Something-Digital",
        "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/genpact-continues-its-investment-in-rightpoint-with-acquisition-of-ecommerce-agency-something-digital-301145615.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "somethingdigital.com redirects to rightpoint.com",
      "brand_status": "dead",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Redstage",
      "category": "commerce-platforms",
      "event_type": "brand-retired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Fulcrum Worldwide/Fulcrum Digital (2016); brand recently retired to 'Fulcrum Commerce'",
      "acquirer_type": "global-SI",
      "event_date": "2016-03 (acquisition)",
      "brand_retired_date": "~2025-26 ('Redstage is now Fulcrum Commerce')",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/421543/Fulcrum-Worldwide-Acquires-Redstage-A-Leading-eCommerce-Solution-Provider",
        "https://fulcrumdigital.com/news/redstage-is-now-fulcrum-commerce/"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "redstage.com 301-redirects to fulcrumdigital.com/industries/commerce/ — which itself returns 404",
      "brand_status": "dead (redirect target broken)",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Wagento",
      "category": "commerce-platforms",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "eWay Corp",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2021-02-01",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.ewaycorp.com/eway-corp-acquires-wagento-to-become-a-one-stop-digital-agency/"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Blue Acorn iCi",
      "category": "commerce-platforms",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Infosys (up to $125M, from Beringer Capital); itself the 2019 Blue Acorn + iCiDigital merger",
      "acquirer_type": "global-SI",
      "event_date": "2020-10",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/infosys-completes-acquisition-of-blue-acorn-ici--a-leading-adobe-salesforce-commerce--shopify-partner-from-beringer-capital-301161539.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained inside Infosys ('an Infosys company')",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Mediacurrent",
      "category": "cms-martech",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Code and Theory (absorbed; no independent partner identity remains)",
      "acquirer_type": "holding-company",
      "event_date": "not captured",
      "evidence_urls": [],
      "source_dataset": "18-cms-martech-agencies.md",
      "domain_behavior_now": "mediacurrent.com redirects to currentagency.com",
      "brand_status": "absorbed",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "Half Helix + Tomorrow",
      "category": "platform-build",
      "event_type": "PE-rollup",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Domaine (BV Investment Partners-backed merger; Domaine later absorbed Code (NL) and Pattern)",
      "acquirer_type": "PE",
      "event_date": "2023-09",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.bvlp.com/news-resource/tomorrow-and-half-helix-announce-merger-to-create-largest-independent-partner-serving-shopify-enterprise-brands/",
        "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tomorrow-and-half-helix-announce-merger-to-create-largest-independent-partner-serving-shopify-enterprise-brands-301939839.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "halfhelix.com redirects to domaineworldwide.com; Tomorrow's Shopify directory slug 'kogent' now carries Domaine text",
      "brand_status": "both brands retired",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "We Make Websites",
      "category": "platform-build",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Tech Mahindra (joined BORN Group). Circulating 'Brainlabs acquired WMW' claim is FALSE.",
      "acquirer_type": "global-SI",
      "event_date": "2021-10-25",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://mergr.com/we-make-websites-acquired-by-tech-mahindra"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live (trades as 'We Make Websites Ltd. A Tech Mahindra company'; partner-directory identity consolidated under BORN)",
      "brand_status": "brand retained but directory-invisible",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Diff",
      "category": "platform-build",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "WPP (joined Wunderman Thompson network; WT merged into VML 2024-01 → 'Diff, A VML Company')",
      "acquirer_type": "holding-company",
      "event_date": "2022-12 (announced)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.wpp.com/en/news/2022/12/wpp-acquires-canadian-commerce-agency-diff-to-grow-its-partner-ecosystem-in-north-america",
        "https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/380539/wpp-acquires-shopify-commerce-specialist-diff.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live (title: 'Diff | Shopify Plus eCommerce Agency')",
      "brand_status": "brand retained inside VML/WPP",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "The Taproom",
      "category": "platform-build",
      "event_type": "closed",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "none (agency → solo consultancy 2022 → closed; founder Kelly Vaughn now in-house at Zapier)",
      "acquirer_type": "none",
      "event_date": "2024-06 (founder's closure post)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/the-taproom",
        "https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kellyvaughn_time-to-close-that-door-from-discovering-activity-7208642458031636480-to2P"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "dead (thetaproom.com no response)",
      "brand_status": "dead",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Shadow Digital + Hedrick + Belt Creative",
      "category": "platform-build",
      "event_type": "PE-rollup",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Veza Digital (three acquisitions in 2025)",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2025",
      "evidence_urls": [],
      "source_dataset": "agencies-platform-build.json",
      "domain_behavior_now": "absorbed",
      "brand_status": "absorbed",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "Elva",
      "category": "platform-build",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Third and Grove (making T&G a Shopify Platinum Partner)",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2025-10",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.thirdandgrove.com/insights/third-and-grove-acquires-elva/",
        "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/third-and-grove-acquires-elva-a-shopify-platinum-partner-302572417.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "absorbed",
      "brand_status": "absorbed",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Coastal Cloud",
      "category": "platform-crm",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "TCS ($700M all-cash; from prior Sverica PE investment)",
      "acquirer_type": "global-SI",
      "event_date": "2025-12-10 (definitive agreement; completion 2026-01-31)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.tcs.com/who-we-are/newsroom/press-release/tcs-acquires-coastal-cloud-a-leading-us-salesforce-consulting-firm",
        "https://www.salesforceben.com/tcs-acquires-consulting-firm-coastal-cloud-in-700m-deal/",
        "https://www.consulting.us/news/12786/tcs-to-acquire-salesforce-consultancy-coastal-cloud-in-700-million-deal"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand still marketed as 'Coastal'",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Simplus",
      "category": "platform-crm",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Infosys (~$250M reported)",
      "acquirer_type": "global-SI",
      "event_date": "2020",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.infosys.com/newsroom/press-releases/2020/completes-acquisition-simplus.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained inside Infosys",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "7Summits",
      "category": "platform-crm",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "IBM",
      "acquirer_type": "global-SI",
      "event_date": "2021-01-11",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://newsroom.ibm.com/2021-01-11-IBM-Acquires-7Summits-to-Drive-Digital-Transformations-for-Salesforce-Clients",
        "https://www.foundhq.com/salesforce-partner-listing/7summits"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "dead (7summits.com no response)",
      "brand_status": "dead",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Silverline",
      "category": "platform-crm",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Mphasis ($132.5M)",
      "acquirer_type": "global-SI",
      "event_date": "2023-10",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.mphasis.com/home/corporate/news/mphasis-acquires-salesforce-service-partner-silverline-for-over-doller-132-mn.assetType.null.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live (as Mphasis Silverline)",
      "brand_status": "brand retained inside Mphasis",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Torrent Consulting",
      "category": "platform-crm",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "ZS (Salesforce healthcare/life-sciences play)",
      "acquirer_type": "global-SI",
      "event_date": "2025-12-08 (announced)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.zs.com/about/newsroom/zs-acquires-torrent-consulting-salesforce-ai",
        "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zs-acquires-torrent-consulting-to-fuel-salesforces-healthcare-life-sciences-ai-solutions-302635333.html",
        "https://www.consulting.us/news/12484/zs-acquires-salesforce-specialist-torrent-consulting"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "acquired",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Magnet360",
      "category": "platform-crm",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Mindtree ($50M: $37M upfront + $13M earnout)",
      "acquirer_type": "global-SI",
      "event_date": "2016-01-18",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mindtree-to-acquire-magnet-360-a-salesforce-platinum-consulting-partner-565625211.html",
        "https://www.crunchbase.com/acquisition/mindtree-acquires-magnet-360--88aad50a"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "dead (magnet360.com no response)",
      "brand_status": "dead",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Worth eCommerce + Chair10 + Globalia",
      "category": "platform-crm",
      "event_type": "PE-rollup",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "SmartBug Media (roll-up acquirer: Worth 2021, Chair10 2023, Globalia 2023)",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2021-2023",
      "evidence_urls": [],
      "source_dataset": "agencies-platform-crm.json",
      "domain_behavior_now": "absorbed",
      "brand_status": "absorbed",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "Remotish",
      "category": "platform-crm",
      "event_type": "merged",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Media Junction",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2023",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.mediajunction.com/blog/media-junction-and-remotish-announce-strategic-merger-to-amplify-hubspot-technical-services"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "absorbed",
      "brand_status": "absorbed",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "The B2B Marketing Lab + MPULL",
      "category": "platform-crm",
      "event_type": "merged",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Huble (2020 merger + rebrand)",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2020",
      "evidence_urls": [],
      "source_dataset": "agencies-platform-crm.json",
      "domain_behavior_now": "live (as Huble)",
      "brand_status": "predecessor brands retired",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "Homestead Studio",
      "category": "email-retention",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Verndale (Trinity Hunt Partners portfolio)",
      "acquirer_type": "PE",
      "event_date": "2026-03 (announced)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/verndale-acquires-homestead-studio-expanding-full-funnel-d2c-growth-capabilities-302712524.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "part of Verndale DTC & commerce practice",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Trendline Interactive + LeadMD (+ Data Insight Group)",
      "category": "email-retention",
      "event_type": "merged",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Shift Paradigm (unified 2021-11-15 after Trendline's acquisitions of both)",
      "acquirer_type": "PE",
      "event_date": "2021-11-15",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/368683/trendline-interactive-and-leadmd-rebrand-form-com.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live (as Shift Paradigm)",
      "brand_status": "predecessor brands retired",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "EmailMonks",
      "category": "email-retention",
      "event_type": "rebranded",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Email Uplers (2019, under Uplers); now part of Mavlers after 2021 restructure",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2019",
      "evidence_urls": [],
      "source_dataset": "agencies-email-retention.json",
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "renamed twice",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "SBS Group + Socius",
      "category": "enterprise-systems",
      "event_type": "merged",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Velosio (2018 merger)",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2018",
      "evidence_urls": [],
      "source_dataset": "agencies-enterprise-systems.json",
      "domain_behavior_now": "live (as Velosio)",
      "brand_status": "predecessor brands retired",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "Western Computer",
      "category": "enterprise-systems",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Evergreen Services Group (permanent-hold PE)",
      "acquirer_type": "PE",
      "event_date": "2023-07",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/127777-42"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained; HQ address quietly moved to Evergreen's",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "NewRocket",
      "category": "enterprise-systems",
      "event_type": "PE-rollup",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Highmetric (Gryphon Investors-backed) acquired NewRocket 2021; combined company rebranded NewRocket 2022",
      "acquirer_type": "PE",
      "event_date": "2021",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/highmetric-acquires-newrocket-301359129.html"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "roll-up wearing the acquired brand's name",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "GlideFast Consulting",
      "category": "enterprise-systems",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "ASGN ($350M); now a division of Everforth ('Everforth GlideFast')",
      "acquirer_type": "global-SI",
      "event_date": "2022",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.channele2e.com/news/asgn-acquires-servicenow-it-consulting-partner-glidefast-for-350m"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained inside ASGN/Everforth",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Thirdera",
      "category": "enterprise-systems",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Cognizant (announced 2023-12-13, closed 2024-01-22; ~940 staff)",
      "acquirer_type": "global-SI",
      "event_date": "2023-12-13 (announced)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://news.cognizant.com/cognizant-thirdera-acquisition-complete",
        "https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240123031493/en/Sunstone-Partners-Announces-the-Closing-of-the-Sale-of-Thirdera-the-Largest-Independent-Global-Pure-Play-ServiceNow-Consultancy-to-Cognizant"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "thirdera.com redirects to cognizant.com ServiceNow services page",
      "brand_status": "brand absorbed into Cognizant",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Coyote Creek",
      "category": "enterprise-systems",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Praecipio",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2022-08",
      "evidence_urls": [],
      "source_dataset": "agencies-enterprise-systems.json",
      "domain_behavior_now": "absorbed",
      "brand_status": "absorbed",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "Cask NX",
      "category": "enterprise-systems",
      "event_type": "rebranded",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Ondaro (2026 rebrand; 2019 split from Cask Government Services)",
      "acquirer_type": "none",
      "event_date": "2026",
      "evidence_urls": [],
      "source_dataset": "agencies-enterprise-systems.json",
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "renamed",
      "confidence": "medium"
    },
    {
      "company": "10up",
      "category": "cms-martech",
      "event_type": "merged",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Fueled (Insignia Capital-backed; 10up operates as Fueled's enterprise WordPress practice)",
      "acquirer_type": "PE",
      "event_date": "2023-09",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://thewpminute.com/jake-goldman-talks-agency-mergers-and-rebranding/"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained inside Fueled",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Chapter Three",
      "category": "cms-martech",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Kanopi Studios",
      "acquirer_type": "strategic-agency",
      "event_date": "2026-01-09 (announced)",
      "evidence_urls": [
        "https://www.prweb.com/releases/kanopi-studios-acquires-chapter-three-to-expand-drupal-services-302655919.html",
        "https://www.thedroptimes.com/65556/kanopi-studios-acquires-chapter-three-strengthen-drupal-services"
      ],
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "brand retained (transition)",
      "confidence": "high"
    },
    {
      "company": "Contentful",
      "category": "cms-martech",
      "event_type": "acquired",
      "acquirer_or_successor": "Salesforce (definitive agreement 2026-06-01; closing ~Q3 FY27) — platform-level event affecting every Contentful partner",
      "acquirer_type": "platform-vendor",
      "event_date": "2026-06-01 (agreement)",
      "evidence_urls": [],
      "source_dataset": "18-cms-martech-agencies.md",
      "domain_behavior_now": "live",
      "brand_status": "pending close",
      "confidence": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "dead_brands_in_live_listicles": [
    {
      "dead_brand": "Metric Theory",
      "died": "2021-01 (absorbed by S4 Capital/MightyHive → Monks)",
      "listicle_url": "https://www.webtonic.io/blog/top-b2b-ppc-agencies",
      "listicle_title": "26 Top B2B PPC Agencies for 2026",
      "listicle_date_signal": "published 2026-04-24, updated 2026-08-29 (verified by fetch 2026-08-31)",
      "what_it_claims": "Ranks Metric Theory #4: 'Specializes in performance marketing for digital-first B2B companies with particular strength in SaaS and technology sectors.' No mention of the 2021 absorption.",
      "afterlife_years": 5.7,
      "verification": "fetched",
      "disputed": true,
      "dispute_note": "2026-09-05: metrictheory.com live with standalone site — row disputed, excluded from publication (research/19)"
    },
    {
      "dead_brand": "accelerate agency",
      "died": "wind-down; domain 301s to founder's LinkedIn (verified 2026-08-31)",
      "listicle_url": "https://www.taylorscherseo.com/blog/best-saas-seo-consultants",
      "listicle_title": "16 Vetted B2B SaaS SEO Agencies & Consultants That Actually Drive Demos and Signups in 2026",
      "listicle_date_signal": "published 2026-03-12",
      "what_it_claims": "#11 'Best for Hands-On, Smaller Engagements' — 'a data-driven SEO agency founded on the principle of delivering genuine value', citing clients Dialpad, PandaDoc, Databricks. No wind-down mention.",
      "afterlife_years": null,
      "verification": "fetched"
    },
    {
      "dead_brand": "accelerate agency (second listicle)",
      "died": "same as above",
      "listicle_url": "https://www.onely.com/blog/best-b2b-seo-agencies/",
      "listicle_title": "Top 10 Best B2B SEO Agencies in 2026",
      "listicle_date_signal": "published 2026-05-27",
      "what_it_claims": "Lists Accelerate Agency among its 10 recommended B2B SEO agencies. The 'vetted' agency cannot be hired — its site is a LinkedIn redirect.",
      "afterlife_years": null,
      "verification": "fetched"
    },
    {
      "dead_brand": "Influence & Co.",
      "died": "2023-06 (brand retired into Intero Digital)",
      "listicle_url": "https://blazonagency.com/post/best-content-marketing-companies",
      "listicle_title": "Best Content Marketing Companies 2026",
      "listicle_date_signal": "title-year 2026; no explicit date (verified live 2026-08-31)",
      "what_it_claims": "#10: 'Focuses on executive branding and PR integration... ideal for B2B brands where personal authority and industry positioning drive sales.' No mention the brand ceased to exist in June 2023.",
      "afterlife_years": 3.2,
      "verification": "fetched"
    },
    {
      "dead_brand": "Big Nerd Ranch",
      "died": "independence ended 2020-06 (projekt202/Amdocs); services sunset 2024-06; site now dead",
      "listicle_url": "https://graffersid.com/top-app-development-companies-usa/",
      "listicle_title": "Top 15 Mobile App Development Companies In The USA",
      "listicle_date_signal": "last updated 2024-07-06; still served live 2026-08-31",
      "what_it_claims": "#14: praises its 'customer application improvement and master guidance from the most brilliant engineers.' The recommended company's own website no longer responds at all.",
      "afterlife_years": 2.2,
      "verification": "fetched"
    },
    {
      "dead_brand": "WillowTree",
      "died": "acquired 2023-01; brand retired — 'WillowTree is now TELUS Digital'",
      "listicle_url": "https://graffersid.com/top-app-development-companies-usa/",
      "listicle_title": "Top 15 Mobile App Development Companies In The USA (same page as above)",
      "listicle_date_signal": "last updated 2024-07-06; live 2026-08-31",
      "what_it_claims": "#7: 'WillowTree, LLC was established in 2007 with workplaces in Charlottesville, VA...' — presented as an independent bookable agency; no TELUS mention.",
      "afterlife_years": 3.7,
      "verification": "fetched"
    },
    {
      "dead_brand": "RevenueZen",
      "died": "2024 (acquired by Onfolio Holdings; folded into 'RevenueZen by Eastern Standard')",
      "listicle_url": "https://www.onely.com/blog/best-b2b-seo-agencies/",
      "listicle_title": "Top 10 Best B2B SEO Agencies in 2026",
      "listicle_date_signal": "published 2026-05-27",
      "what_it_claims": "Recommends RevenueZen with no mention it is a public-holding-company subsidiary whose team was merged into a Philadelphia web agency.",
      "afterlife_years": 2,
      "verification": "fetched"
    },
    {
      "dead_brand": "We Make Websites",
      "died": "acquired 2021-10 (Tech Mahindra/BORN); directory identity consolidated under BORN",
      "listicle_url": "https://eseospace.com/top-shopify-plus-agencies-2025-2026/",
      "listicle_title": "Top Shopify and Shopify Plus Agencies for 2025 and 2026",
      "listicle_date_signal": "published 2025-10-16",
      "what_it_claims": "'Specializes in design and development for Shopify Plus, with a strong portfolio of international projects' — presented as an independent boutique; no Tech Mahindra mention.",
      "afterlife_years": 4,
      "verification": "fetched"
    },
    {
      "dead_brand": "Corra",
      "died": "2023-06 (absorbed into Publicis Sapient)",
      "listicle_url": "https://www.aitrillion.com/blog/top-shopify-agencies-in-usa",
      "listicle_title": "10+ Top Shopify Agencies in the USA (2026)",
      "listicle_date_signal": "title-year 2026 (search-indexed 2026-08)",
      "what_it_claims": "Recommends Corra as 'a global Shopify Plus agency now part of Publicis Sapient' — acquisition disclosed, but the brand is not independently bookable; corra.com is a redirect.",
      "afterlife_years": 3.1,
      "verification": "search-confirmed"
    }
  ],
  "counter_examples_good_hygiene": [
    {
      "brand": "Elevar",
      "listicle_url": "https://weltpixel.com/blogs/news/best-shopify-conversion-tracking-apps-2026",
      "note": "Published 2026-05-06, updated 2026-08-26; discloses 'Buxton folded Elevar into Audiense, and getelevar.com now redirects there, so long-term Shopify focus is a fair question for a sales call.' Pricing re-verified 2026-07-27."
    },
    {
      "brand": "WillowTree",
      "listicle_url": "https://www.cynoteck.com/blog-post/top-mobile-app-development-companies-usa",
      "note": "Published 2026-02-19; heading reads 'WillowTree, Inc. (Now Telus Digital)' — acquisition acknowledged in the entry title itself."
    }
  ]
}