Publicis Media U.S. Buys Picture Motion, Social Advocacy Marketing Company That Worked on ‘Creed III’ and ‘American Fiction'(EXCLUSIVE)

Publicis Media U.S. has acquired Picture Motion , a social advocacy and cause marketing company that has developed campaigns for over 400 films, TV series, news and media productions. The company has worked on the likes of "American Fiction," "Origin," "Creed III," "Fire of Love," "Free Solo" and "The Problem with Jon Stewart." Terms of the sale, including the price, were not disclosed. Talks between the companies started roughly a year ago.

Picture Motion will sit within the specialty entertainment division, Publicis Media Content & Innovation (PMCI). There, Picture Motion will help with the development of original film and television projects, collaborating with brand clients and entertainment industry partners, while providing concept development, strategy, distribution, monetization and promotional support. Eight Picture Motion staffers will join the company as part of the deal.

Picture Motion will also work closely with PMCI's Inclusion Investment Fund, which helps find and fund content that amplifies diverse voices. Publicis Media said Picture Motion clients will be able to explore integrations in already produced content and work with creators to develop new material.

Picture Motion was founded in 2012 by Christie Marchese and Wendy Cohen with the goal of helping storytellers, studios, brands and nonprofits amplify their content and "mobilize key communities and changemakers" to drive social impact initiatives related to their work.

In that capacity, Picture Motion has worked on projects for Apple, Disney, Hulu, CNN, HBO, National Geographic, Warner Brothers Discovery, Springhill Company, Hello Sunshine, Patagonia, Qualtrics, Global Fund for Women and PBS. Other credits include HBO's "LFG," Netflix's "13th," and Universal's "Till."

"Acquiring what we consider to be the leading social impact agency will help us continue to foster award-winning advocacy and marketing campaigns in both media and entertainment on behalf of our brands," Eric Levin, president and chief content officer of Publicis Media, tells Variety.

Picture Motion CEO Brian Walker will join Publicis Media, reporting into Levin, as Picture Motion CEO. Co-founder Christie Marchese will join Publicis Media as EVP of entertainment partnerships, also reporting into Levin, while maintaining other roles outside the company including as CEO of distribution service Kinema.

"Picture Motion will continue to operate as we have, serving entertainment clients with powerful stories seeking to engage audiences," Marchese tells Variety. "Now that we have the power of Publicis Media behind us, we'll have access to their historic knowledge of media, and together we will investment in ideas, tools and technologies for the future of storytelling."