Tampa Bay marketing firms Big Sea and Sparxoo merge

Two of Tampa Bay’s largest marketing firms are merging to become one agency.

Big Sea and Sparxoo announced Tuesday that the companies are merging to form one statewide digital marketing firm. The new company, under the name Big Sea, will offer marketing, branding, video production and web development services, according to a press release.

“Our clients are asking for deeper strategy and more thorough research, and we’re excited to grow our capabilities and consultative services to do just that,” said Andi Graham, CEO and managing partner of Big Sea in a statement.

Graham and Dzuy Nguyen, Big Sea’s chief operating officer and managing partner, will retain their titles with the combined agency. Sparxoo president Rob Kane will keep his title as he joins Big Sea, and Sparxoo Studios will now be led by Michael Martz.

David Capece, founder and CEO of Sparxoo, will leave the agency to grow his software company CROOW, the release said.

The merger will strengthen the company’s digital capabilities and experience in design and video storytelling. The new company will have 42 employees and $6 million in annual revenues, the release said. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Big Sea, a 22-employee agency based in St. Petersburg, was founded in 2005 and serves clients Mote Marine, The Sun Magazine, Health Warehouse, Accusoft, Stetson University College of Law, and the University of Tampa. Sparxoo, a 20-employee agency based in Tampa, was founded in 2010 and has such clients as Tech Data, Cigar City Brewing, Florida Atlantic University, Amalie Oil, Summerland Wine, City of Clearwater, Hyatt Hotels and Brooks Rehabilitation.