Imaginet
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Digital printing, Web services |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Founder | Scott Litman, Dan Mallin |
| Fate | Acquired by WPP Group and merged into JWT in 2000 |
| Headquarters | Minneapolis , United States |
Area served | United States (regional) |
Key people | Scott Litman, Dan Mallin, Skip Gage |
| Products | Digital printing, Customized web applications, eServices |
Imaginet LLC was established in 1991 as a NeXT Computer and Apple Computer publishing Value Added Reseller. The company initially specialized in digital printing, but by 1994 shifted its focus toward web services, securing clients such as 3M, Target Corp, Pillsbury, and General Mills.
In 1997, Imaginet was acquired by Imation, a subsidiary of 3M. However, due to differing corporate cultures, founders Scott Litman and Dan Mallin joined forces with Skip Gage to repurchase the business within 18 months. They reestablished it as an independent private company while also obtaining assets from Gage Interactive Marketing Group.
Between 1999 and 2000, Imaginet experienced rapid expansion as a private enterprise, emerging as a prominent regional provider of eServices specializing in customized web applications. Their notable clientele included St. Paul Companies, RBC Dain Rauscher, Cargill, Goodyear, Medtronic, United Health, Lawson Software, Express-Scripts, and Thomson West.
At the close of 2000, Imaginet was sold to the WPP Group and incorporated into J. Walter Thompson (JWT), one of the largest traditional advertising firms. Following this acquisition, Imaginet merged with JWT’s Cool Fire Interactive division, helping to safeguard employment during the dot-com bust. Subsequently, the company was rebranded under JWT’s international network, RMG Connect.
In January 2010, RMG Connect was consolidated into JWT, with the office continuing operations as JWT Minneapolis.