Tombras expands foothold with acquisition of Opinionated

Independent agency Tombras has acquired Portland-based creative shop Opinionated, extending its footprint to the U.S. West Coast for the first time.

Throughout 2026, Opinionated’s 40-person team, led by founder and executive creative director Mark Fitzloff and partner and president Trish Adams, will continue operating as "Opinionated, a Tombras Company". In 2027, the agency will fully transition to Tombras West, a decade after its founding.

Expanding the independent footprint

Opinionated has built a reputation for creative work with major brands including adidas, Panda Express, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Hinge, and Drumstick. The acquisition aligns Opinionated’s creative excellence with Tombras’ national presence across six offices in Knoxville, New York, Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington, D.C., and Buenos Aires.

Mark Fitzloff, founder and executive creative director, Opinionated: "We actually never intended to sell, thinking holding companies and private equity were the only options. The opportunity to stay part of an independent was what made us open to the possibilities. This gave us an opportunity to ensure longevity, yet remain independent and creative-driven."

Independence and scale

Tombras, family-owned since 1946, emphasizes growth without outside investment.

Dooley Tombras, president, Tombras: "This is a historic day not just for Tombras, but for independent agencies in general. The prevailing wisdom has long been that independence has to be sacrificed to sell to a holding company or private equity. We’re showing there is another path, achieving true independence with scale."

Fitzloff: "Independence has nothing to do with size, only accountability. When your only masters are your clients and your own values, scale isn't something you sacrifice, it's something you earn by doing the best work you can. Our merge into Tombras gives us the opportunity to further build and push the boundaries of creativity, in service of business."

Combining complementary capabilities

Both agencies see the acquisition as a strategic alignment of strengths. Opinionated’s creative platforms complement Tombras’ data, media, social, and technology capabilities, enabling a broader range of offerings for clients.

Fitzloff: "We literally have a shared philosophy of creativity in service of business. Opinionated will continue to build creative, effective, and culturally relevant brand platforms, but now with the added strength of data-led, full-service creative and media capabilities."

www.tombras.com

www.opinionatedgroup.com

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