One year ago, we shared the news that PAN had acquired BLASTmedia, a move that gave shape to our emerging growth division, PANBlast. It was a decision rooted in shared values, strategic foresight, and a belief in what’s possible when complementary strengths come together under one roof.
At the time, we said the acquisition was more than adding new capabilities. It was about amplifying what already made both agencies strong. It was about unlocking scale while staying grounded in culture. It was about “building a new kind of B2B agency model that could adapt to a fast-moving tech landscape without losing its human core.”
A year later, that vision took root. We’ve spent the last 12 months listening, learning, and evolving. And while we’re proud of the numbers, what excites us even more is the foundation we’ve built for what’s next.
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From Opportunity to Outcome: Why This Move Mattered
When we first discussed the acquisition, we saw a clear market gap: PAN, with its fully integrated brand-to-demand model, often had to pass on opportunities that were too narrow, too early-stage, or too resource-constrained for our structure. BLASTmedia, on the other hand, had spent years tailoring a SaaS-focused agency for emerging growth brands, with deep domain expertise, fast-paced execution, and strong media relationships.
The gap we closed is clear when you look at the results, and it reinforces that the business model we envisioned is working.
Twelve months post-acquisition, the relationship has built more robust pipelines, already netting more than $1M of annualized revenue for PANBlast in 2025 alone. What’s more: this acquisition has cemented a reality for our firm: PAN supports the full lifecycle of a brand, flexing to meet your needs as they emerge.
Related Read >> PAN Named Outstanding Technology Agency of the Year by PRWeek
Culture at Scale: Integrating Without Diluting
One of the things we’re proudest of is that this wasn’t an integration or absorption move – we intentionally structured PANBlast to run as a separate division. From day one, the goal was to preserve the distinctive identity of PANBlast while embedding the infrastructure, systems, and support that PAN brings to the table.
Over the past year, we’ve taken deliberate steps to build trust and transparency across teams—and it’s paid off. We’ve hosted all-staff meetings and QBRs that connect PANBlast with the broader agency. Our in-person 2025 Strategic Planning Session in January gave the PANBlast exec team an even deeper sense of belonging and collaborating across divisions. We are #onePAN so these summits are opportunities to share knowledge, align on vision, and reinforce that we’re not a holding company; we’re one independent agency with shared values & goals.
Importantly, this also means letting swimlane experts own and operate their business units. There’s coaching and mentorship, but there’s no micro-managing. Success doesn’t need to fit one mold. As leaders, it’s our job to foster growth and original thinking. We don’t want an agency filled with 200 Phils and Mendys. Diversity is our strength, from the talent we attract to the working styles we cultivate.
The results of this approach have been visible and deeply felt. The PANBlast team has voiced that they don’t feel like “just a division.” They feel like part of something bigger. And that belonging has fueled new ideas, stronger execution, and tighter alignment across client and internal initiatives.
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Operational Rigor + Entrepreneurial Spirit = A New Agency Model
One of the most valuable aspects of this integration has been the operational rigor PAN brought to PANBlast, without compromising the entrepreneurial agility that defined its success.
Some of the standout improvements from the past year include:
- A comprehensive salary and hiring plan that has guided eight new full-time hires
- Access to detailed forecasting and KPI reporting, empowering smarter decision-making
- Monthly ops meetings and bi-monthly sales/marketing touchpoints to stay accountable and proactive
- New contract and SOW flexibility that reflects how clients evolve throughout the campaign lifecycle
- A redefined sales process, including the addition of more-robust sales assets, leveraging PAN’s custom Salesforce console, and structured strategies like replacement planning and client reactivation campaigns
These improvements have also strengthened marketing infrastructure, including paid media support and brand design, and helped establish a more responsive freelance and vendor network. In tandem, these actions mean teams can move faster without reinventing the wheel each time.
People First: Growing the Team, Expanding What’s Possible
As any agency leader knows, culture isn’t just a byproduct of success—it’s the engine that propels it. Over the past year, PANBlast has benefited from a major boost in both people power and people experience.
With the support of PAN’s recruiting infrastructure and HR leadership, PANBlast brought on eight new team members in the past year. But it wasn’t just headcount that grew—it was also the depth and quality of our benefits, mentorship opportunities, and development resources.
- Improved parental leave and paid disability options
- Stipends for wellness, mental health, and tech support
- Access to management training and a more formalized feedback and growth structure
- Partnership with PAN’s leadership on performance, promotion, and retention strategies
This people-first approach has made a meaningful difference. We’re better equipped to retain top talent, promote from within, and help our teams envision long-term career paths within PAN.
Looking Ahead: Scale with Intention
If Year One was about laying the groundwork, Year Two is about acceleration and scale.
With better forecasting, a refined sales engine, continued client retention, improved benefits, and a clear strategic vision, PAN is positioned to grow intentionally. That doesn’t mean growing for growth’s sake. It means saying yes to the right opportunities, serving clients with greater precision, and continuing to scale in ways that reflect both who we are and where we’re going.
As we move forward, we’re asking bigger questions:
- How can we push the boundaries of AI-driven reporting?
- How can we be even more strategic in how we support B2B buyers navigating a zero-click world?
- How do we maintain the agility of a startup with the infrastructure of a scaled agency?
We’re answering those questions with new tools, new thinking, and a commitment to evolving how we operate—together.
All this to say: We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished. And we’re even more excited for what’s next.
Thanks for coming along for the ride. Let’s keep building.
