In a move that will form the largest and most integrated travel marketing firm in the world, MMG Worldwide and Ypartnership announced today that the companies are merging in a transaction that will form a new company called MMGY Global.

"We are taking the unrivaled research and strategic planning components of Ypartnership and putting them together with MMG's integrated and technically-driven channel marketing resources to form the preeminent travel and entertainment marketing company," said Clayton Reid, the combined entity's new President and CEO.

The companies, who together represent over 200 of the most recognized travel and hospitality brands from around the world, will immediately merge operations and maintain offices in Denver, Kansas City, New York and Orlando as well as maintain affiliate partners in over 10 international countries including Canada, the UK and Thailand.

"We have been respectful rivals for many years, but as we looked at each other's organizations, we quickly realized how much potential there was in combining the remarkable talents and resources of both companies," said Peter Yesawich, the new company's Vice Chairman.

MMGY's Chairman, Don Montague, started MMG Worldwide in 1981 and has long been interested in adding a world-class research, branding and strategic planning arm. "We see Ypartnership as not only the category leader in these strategic areas, but an agency with incredibly talented people and a phenomenal track-record," said Montague.

MMGY Global will have over 200 employees and will bring together a collection of integrated marketing resources in research, strategy & analytics, brand development, advertising & digital marketing, CRM, web & mobile development, social marketing and public relations. "We will now be able to execute strategies and tactics across all marketing disciplines within one integrated company, and until today, that kind of unified deployment was not available to travel industry marketers," added Reid. "It's certainly exciting for all of us to see this coming together."

About MMGY Global

MMGY Global is the world's leading integrated marketing firm specializing in the travel, hospitality and lifestyle industries. With operating brands across the world, the award-winning organization maintains a global communications practice in all marketing channels, serving many of the world's premier travel and tourism brands. As a company dedicated to the travel industry, MMGY Global strives to create a connected, inclusive and peaceful world by promoting travel as a cultural bridge of understanding. For more information, visit mmgyglobal.com.