LinkedIn has acquired Dave, a brand consultancy, for an undisclosed amount. Dave, which operated for eight years, will cease to exist as a standalone entity. The acquisition brings Dave’s operations into a newly formed business called Calling Brands, launched in partnership with Engine’s Asian brand consultancy. Calling Brands will begin with offices in London, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, employing a combined team of 70 people.
Dave’s work centered on brand strategy and identity, while Engine’s Asian consultancy focuses on regional market insights and brand development across Asia. The merger of these two practices under the Calling Brands name is designed to address a shift in global business dynamics, where economic and cultural influence is moving from West to East. The new entity aims to serve clients navigating increasingly interconnected and complex markets, offering a broader geographic footprint than either firm could provide alone.
For LinkedIn, the acquisition extends its reach into the brand consultancy space, though the company did not disclose how Calling Brands will integrate with its existing professional services or platform offerings. The deal appears to be a strategic move to strengthen LinkedIn’s presence in Asia, a region where it has been expanding its user base and corporate partnerships. The combined team’s expertise in both Western and Eastern markets is expected to support clients with cross-border branding needs.
The formation of Calling Brands marks the end of Dave’s independent operations, but the new business will retain its core talent and client relationships. With offices in three major financial hubs, the entity is positioned to operate across time zones and cultural contexts. The company has not announced further expansion plans, but its initial structure suggests a focus on serving multinational clients with complex regional requirements. The success of the venture will depend on how effectively the two teams integrate their methodologies and client portfolios under a single brand.