Instead of expanding its existing studio with new departments, Koto has decided to build a group by bringing together independent creative companies. The first step in that direction is the acquisition of the international studio Stereo Creative, announced on September 9, which has created a group of 230 people working across London, Berlin, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Portland, Dubai and Sydney.
Behind the business move is a very concrete shift in client expectations. Creative partners are increasingly being asked to connect brand development with digital experiences, campaigns and ongoing content production. Koto brings its branding and design experience to this model, while Stereo Creative expands the joint offering in campaigns and production.
Koto began developing the network after securing investment in 2025. Before the acquisition, the company had 170 employees and enters the new group with a portfolio that includes work for Airbnb, Amazon, Microsoft and Meta, as well as the identity for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Stereo Creative brings almost two decades of experience and client relationships across sport, entertainment, technology and consumer goods, including Nike, Arsenal, FIFA, Converse, EA Sports, Twitch and Bumble.
For James Greenfield, CEO and Co-Founder of Koto, the addition of Stereo Creative represents the beginning of building a group of companies that will retain their founder-led character and shared creative standards. “We know how much our clients value the quality of our work, and this acquisition broadens the ways we can deliver it,” Greenfield said.
The two companies will not come together solely through a shared list of services. Their intention is to enable clients to move more easily from brand strategy and identity to digital products, campaigns and content produced throughout the year.
Stereo Creative is the first of several planned acquisitions. The Koto Group intends to continue bringing together established creative companies led by their founders, positioning itself in the market as an alternative to large traditional agency networks, but with sufficiently broad capabilities to support a brand through different stages of communication.
