Brainlabs bolsters full-funnel media services with acquisition of Exverus Media

Independent performance media agency Brainlabs has confirmed its acquisition of Los Angeles-based Exverus Media, expanding its U.S. footprint and strengthening its position as a full-service media agency. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The addition of Exverus brings Brainlabs’ global headcount to more than 1,060 employees and lifts its U.S. billings to roughly $1 billion. The deal adds capabilities that broaden Brainlabs’ offering from performance-focused services into full-funnel media planning and buying, covering brand awareness as well as direct response channels.

Founded in 2014, Exverus Media manages more than $100 million in annual client media spend for brands including Premier Protein, Dymatize, and New Belgium and Bell’s Brewing. The agency has built its business around cross-channel media planning, retail media, programmatic advertising, e-commerce, and analytics — areas Brainlabs plans to integrate into its AI-driven media strategy.

Brainlabs CEO and founder Daniel Gilbert said that brands are increasingly looking for agencies that can handle the entire media spectrum under one roof. “Clients want one consolidated view of how their marketing is performing,” Gilbert said. “They don’t want separate data and reporting streams for digital and traditional channels — they want unified measurement.”

Exverus will initially operate as an independent unit under the new name Exverus by Brainlabs. The existing leadership team, including co-founders Bill Durrant, Talia Arnold, and Jack Win, will stay in place and continue to lead operations from Los Angeles.

Durrant said that while Exverus has focused on brand media and full-funnel planning, Brainlabs brings deeper capabilities in areas like SEO, performance marketing, creative, and advanced data tools. “It fills in gaps we’ve wanted to address for years,” Durrant noted.

The acquisition comes amid ongoing consolidation among independent media agencies competing with large holding companies. Brainlabs, which has made several acquisitions in recent years — including Hanapin, Distilled, Nabler, Fanbytes, and Australian firm Sparro — says no further North American acquisitions are planned in the near term.

The move positions Brainlabs to compete for larger accounts against other scaled independents like PMG and Tinuiti, which have also expanded their capabilities through acquisitions.

Gilbert said the agency is targeting 20% global revenue growth this year and is continuing to hire across multiple media roles to meet client demand for integrated media services.

The deal is backed by private equity firm Falfurrias Capital and reflects a strategy of building a scaled alternative to holding companies for mid-market and growth-focused advertisers.