CHICAGO, Jan. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicago-based Manifest Digital has acquired St. Louis-based 4ORCE Digital, firmly establishing Manifest as a leading independent digital agency in the Midwest. The newly combined organization has more than 130 employees and a client portfolio of leading brands including Post Foods, Allstate, Nestle Purina, Hasbro and Walgreens.

"As a combined, progressive digital agency in the growing Midwestern design hub, we have the scale and talent to solve clients' most complex digital business problems," said Dan Curran, founder of 4ORCE. "The resource investment Manifest is making in our marketplace is remarkable. This marriage is a big win for our employees, our clients and for St. Louis."

Manifest plans to double the square footage of 4ORCE's St. Louis office space which includes expanding a state-of-the-art consumer experience lab and hiring up to 10 new employees in creative and technology fields in 2013. The state-of-the-art usability lab is one of the largest in the nation. More than 5,000 square feet is devoted to gathering qualitative feedback on how consumers engage brands via technology.

"4ORCE is the crown jewel of St. Louis digital agencies, offering extensive digital thought leadership," said Jason Benedict, CEO of Manifest. "Now combined with 4ORCE we provide our clients with unprecedented access to innovative mobile, social and web marketing solutions."

"The customer experience is at the heart of our growth strategy as we build value for the combined company. Our firms' complementary specialties with the customer experience at the center make this a powerful step in broadening our user engagement capabilities," said Jim Jacoby, Manifest Digital founder. "Manifest's Chicago office is driven largely by a strong user experience department, while 4ORCE is heavily specialized in marketing and social media. Together we will provide a deep and diverse skill set to our clients."

Benedict said that Manifest has an aggressive growth strategy in place. "Our business model is resonating with leading brands and necessitates additional acquisitions in the near future," he said.

ABOUT MANIFEST DIGITAL

Manifest Digital crafts products, platforms and campaigns that meet constantly evolving business goals. Established in 2001, Manifest has evolved to offer its clients a blend of strategic and tactical services including business, product and market design, with the extensive engineering skillsets required to deliver them. On a daily basis, the company shepherds clients through business and brand transformations that connect with audiences in measurable, rewarding ways. Powerful human insights consistently deliver award‐winning websites, mobile applications, online campaigns, local events and social movements. For more information, visit www.manifestdigital.com or follow Manifest here www.Twitter.com/ManifestDigital or www.Facebook.com/ManifestDigital

ABOUT 4ORCE

4ORCE is an intensely collaborative team of digital strategists, usability experts, designers and developers who craft experiences rooted in measurement to shape meaningful relationships between people and brands. Founded in 2007, 4ORCE clientele includes a who's who and of leading CPG brands including Post Foods, Scottrade, Nestle Purina and Wells Fargo.

SOURCE Manifest Digital