March 16, 2026 — Cork, Ireland — Granite, Ireland’s largest independent digital agency, agrees acquisition of Northern Ireland-founded Creative Media to boost US growth, marking its ninth acquisition since 2020 and a key step in North American expansion.
The Cork-based Granite, founded in 2009, announced the deal to acquire Omagh-based Creative Media, established in May 2000 by Marcus Isherwood with around 40 specialists focused on performance marketing for US and Canadian clients. Financial terms remain undisclosed, but the move is supported by a $10 million growth capital raise from BGF.
Leadership Appointments
Creative Media founder Marcus Isherwood will join as Chief Revenue Officer, while US digital media veteran Joy Marcus, with experience at Condé Nast, Time Warner, and MTV Networks, becomes Non-Executive Chair.
“I’ve spent 25 years building client relationships in North America with a simple philosophy: every dollar spent on marketing has to deliver a measurable return. That’s exactly how Granite operates, but at enterprise scale and with technical depth I haven’t seen in an independent agency. Joining forces with this team gives our clients something genuinely new in the market.” — Marcus Isherwood, CEO of Creative Media
Granite CEO Conor Buckley stated:
“North America has always been central to our growth strategy. The Creative Media agreed acquisition, Marcus’s appointment, and the team we’re building in the US are all part of a deliberate plan to bring Granite’s model to the world’s largest digital market.”
Strategic Growth Targets
Granite, Ireland’s largest independent digital agency, agrees acquisition of Northern Ireland-founded Creative Media to boost US growth amid a 400% year-on-year increase in organic North American revenue over the past 12 months. The agency aims for $40 million in revenues by 2027, with North America contributing $20 million.
The combined workforce will exceed 200 specialists across strategy, engineering, design, data, and marketing, serving clients including Intel, Pepsi, Sysco, Iron Mountain, Concentrix, Aer Lingus, Tesco, and Dalata Hotel Group. Granite reports a Net Promoter Score of 71 and 87% of business from repeat customers.
Background
This transaction represents Granite, Ireland’s largest independent digital agency, agrees acquisition of Northern Ireland-founded Creative Media to boost US growth as its second recent Northern Ireland deal. Coverage appeared in RTÉ News, Belfast Telegraph, and other outlets today. Granite plans further North American acquisitions.