Dodge Communications, a leader in strategic healthcare PR and marketing, and AVID Design, a full-service digital agency for hospitals and healthcare systems, announced they are combining forces to become MERGE Atlanta, a marketing communications and technology agency with an uncommon blend of strategy, creativity and technology. The companies spent the second half of 2017 integrating operations, teams and centrally locating the companies into one office space.

The new group creates a leading national digital communications agency with nearly 40 years of combined experience working with hundreds of healthcare clients, including hospitals and health systems, provider practices, payers, healthcare IT, pharmaceuticals and life sciences.

MERGE Atlanta will serve both business and consumer healthcare markets, leveraging earned and owned digital strategies to drive engagement.

“AVID and Dodge together have an incredibly deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities presented in the healthcare industry and how communications can drive change,” said Chowning Johnson, executive vice president of Dodge Communications, and the newly formed MERGE Atlanta. “Serving in facets of market strategy, branding, positioning and campaigns, paired with influencer, thought leadership and reputation management programs, MERGE Atlanta will help position clients as leaders in this complex, competitive market.”

MERGE Atlanta’s offerings include digital strategy, web, mobile, and campaign development along with marketing, PR and social programs.

“I am confident the new brand name will give us continued opportunity to further our growth momentum and success,” said Tom Brand, president and founder of AVID Design. “I am proud of my team, our clients and our achievements, and collectively we are eager for our next chapter as part of the MERGE family.”

Tom Brand will serve as the president of MERGE Atlanta, while Brad Dodge, president of Dodge Communications, retires after 16 years of service. MERGE Atlanta will operate under parent company MERGE, formerly known as Myelin Communications. MERGE has offices in Atlanta, Boston and Chicago.