What began in the fall of 2023 as an introduction lunch between two North Texas entrepreneurs to discuss their visions for innovation in global fan engagement has culminated in a merger of their startups.

Denny Darmo, founder and chief executive officer of Snipitz Global Inc. and Andrew Naugher, founder and chief executive officer of Media X Partners Inc. announce the formation of Providential Media Group Inc. (PMG), to be based in McKinney, Texas with an initial focus on the $225 billion fan engagement, sports media and data markets.

The merger brings together their respective technologies supported by a deep bench of experienced sports marketing and multimedia professionals. The shared goal is the expansion of a one-stop shop of fan engagement innovations and strategic consulting services.

“Each of our companies was created to help achieve greater year-round fan engagement, generate better data on fans and increase revenue opportunities for sports and entertainment organizations,” says Darmo, who will serve as CEO and co-founder of PMG. “Our visions and values aligned plus our technologies complimented each other, so Andrew and I realized the chance to achieve significant growth would be more efficient as one company.”

According to noted global fan engagement expert Dr. Bob Heere, sports organizations are looking for the tools to better understand their fans and effectively engage year-round, especially with global fans who may never step foot in a stadium. “I applaud this strategic merger and believe Providential Media has a solid strategy plus the strong team to execute on their vision,” says Heere, director of sport management at the University of North Texas

The two startups were introduced thanks to their mutual association with the Innovation Fund administered by the McKinney Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

“How exciting that two entities who connected because of our team’s tireless efforts to build the ecosystem have now merged into a powerful new company,” says Michael Kowski, president and CEO of the MEDC. We look forward to this next chapter for Providential Media Group and what they build next.”

Naugher, who will serve as co-founder and chief revenue officer, says the support during the merger process from the MEDC and other local and global organizations like the North Texas Angel Network, HYPE Sports Innovation and LeadWell Advisory Partners, has been invaluable and validating.