Hawke Media Expands to Minneapolis With Rocket55 Buy
The acquisition marks Hawke Media's 26th deal and brings its national marketing infrastructure to the Minneapolis market.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Advertising
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Los Angeles-based Hawke Media has acquired Minneapolis agency Rocket55, integrating the firm into its national marketing network. This deal marks the 26th acquisition for Hawke Media and establishes the firm's first physical presence in the Midwest.
Why it matters
The acquisition allows Hawke Media to scale its service capabilities and physical footprint into the Midwest market, leveraging Rocket55's established regional operations. This move signals a continued consolidation trend among digital marketing agencies seeking to broaden their geographical reach.
The deal represents the 26th total acquisition by Hawke Media, absorbing a firm that operated for 18 years. Financial details of the transaction remain undisclosed.
The players
Hawke Media
A Los Angeles-based marketing agency that maintains a national network and pursues a growth strategy focused on serial acquisitions.
Rocket55
A Minneapolis-based digital marketing agency founded in 2008 that provided specialized services for 18 years prior to being acquired.
The details
The transaction combines Rocket55's specialized digital marketing services with Hawke Media's broader national infrastructure. Hawke Media is integrating the existing Rocket55 office in Minneapolis into its regional network to support its expansion strategy across the Midwest. This operational shift provides the parent company with a localized base to deploy its full service suite to existing and new regional clients.
Timeline
2008: Rocket55 was founded.
October 15, 2026: Hawke Media announced the acquisition of Rocket55.
Market Landscape
The acquisition follows the broader digital marketing agency consolidation trend that has seen firms acquire regional shops to gain immediate territory access. Hawke Media continues this pattern, mirroring its previous deals for firms like Normal Bear and PRP Group.
Minneapolis agencies should evaluate their competitive position as national firms increasingly move to absorb established local footprints. Operators should watch for changes in local service pricing or staff retention as the integration of Rocket55 into the national network proceeds.
The takeaway
Agencies looking to scale often utilize acquisitions to overcome the logistical barriers of entering new regional markets. Business owners should monitor how national firms use these local hubs to shift service models for regional clients.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts, see Advertising.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Los Angeles Times.
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