Delaware Valley’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Affiliate Boosts Digital Marketing Service Capabilities to Fuel Manufacturing Moonshot and Capitalize on Philadelphia’s 2026 Global Spotlight
DVIRC, a leader in accelerating America’s manufacturing competitiveness, today announced its acquisition of Philadelphia-based digital marketing and branding agency Brand Llama, integrating a talented team of four to elevate world-class services for manufacturing clients, stakeholders, and partners across the Delaware Valley and the nation. This strategic move accelerates DVIRC’s commitment to innovation, growth, and revival in manufacturing, further positioning the organization as a regional powerhouse in driving economic competitiveness.
With Philadelphia poised for an international spotlight in 2026, highlighted by America’s Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) celebrations and six FIFA World Cup matches, this acquisition arrives at a pivotal moment. It equips small and mid-sized manufacturers to harness the generational economic opportunity, showcasing their innovations to millions of global visitors and investors through proven digital strategies.
Honed through over a decade of strategic partnership, the Brand Llama team brings a comprehensive suite of services to DVIRC. Core capabilities include:
- Logo and brand identity development
- Website design and construction
- Inbound marketing and lead generation
- Email marketing and optimization
- Design consulting, advertising design, and website maintenance
Since 2010, Brand Llama (formerly Small Business Design Center) has propelled many of America’s fastest-growing manufacturing firms with cutting-edge strategies that blend creativity, content creation, technology integration, and results-driven tactics to find customers, build trust, and increase sales. This integration marks the first in a series of planned expansions and partnerships through 2026 and beyond, designed to amplify DVIRC’s impact on small- and mid-sized manufacturers.
The integrated Brand Llama team brings diverse expertise to DVIRC:
- Sagan Medvec, Creative and Marketing Director (Co-Founder and former Creative Director of Brand Llama)
- Andy Stopani, Digital Strategy & Growth Services Manager (Co-Founder and former Technology Consultant of Brand Llama)
- Nicole Ross, Creative Design Lead (former Designer of Brand Llama)
- Isabel Ng, Project Coordinator (former Project Manager of Brand Llama)
“After a decade of collaboration, joining DVIRC feels like a natural evolution. Our bold branding and digital strategies will empower manufacturers to unlock unprecedented growth and innovation, transforming 2026’s global spotlight into enduring success in a tech-driven manufacturing era,” said Medvec.
As part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology MEP National Network, a public-private partnership that provides tailored consulting, training, and resources to help U.S. manufacturers grow, innovate, and compete globally, this acquisition merges DVIRC’s framework with Brand Llama’s private-sector agency expertise, creating a unique dynamic that delivers cost-effective, integrated digital solutions.
The alignment with DVIRC’s Manufacturing Moonshot for 2030 is clear: by harnessing advanced digital tools and strategies, the organization aims to supercharge America’s manufacturing edge, drive economic prosperity, and fortify national defense. Challenges in the sector become opportunities for transformation, turning historical industrial strengths into high-tech triumphs. Manufacturers will benefit from enhanced services like AI-powered lead generation, global branding campaigns, real-time digital analytics, and the Brand Llama team’s specialized expertise in comprehensive design, visual identity refinement, and multidisciplinary technology implementations.
“This acquisition is more than expansion—it’s arming regional manufacturers with cutting-edge digital tools to dominate globally and bolster national security,” said Chris Scafario, President and CEO of DVIRC. “As Philadelphia takes the world stage in 2026, we’ll convert that visibility into sustained prosperity, fueling our Moonshot to revive America’s industrial core.”
About DVIRC
Founded in 1988, the DVIRC is a premier economic development organization advancing manufacturing competitiveness, innovation, and national security across Southeastern Pennsylvania and beyond. As part of the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network, DVIRC delivers tailored solutions in business growth, operational excellence, talent development, and defense supply chain readiness. Through initiatives like AI-driven manufacturing and workforce development, DVIRC empowers small and mid-sized manufacturers to thrive, strengthening communities and the nation’s industrial base. Visit dvirc.org for more information.