What Rusu+Bortun does

Rusu+Bortun is an independent creative and branding agency headquartered in Bucharest, Romania, founded in 2008 by Cătălin Rusu and Marc Borțun. The firm operates under the Casa Maură umbrella alongside two operating subsidiaries — Brand Growers (brand strategy, design, and rhetoric) and Cyber Growers (digital production and technology) — at 3 Corbeni Street, Bucharest. It delivers an integrated service portfolio spanning brand strategy, creative advertising, UX/UI and digital production, social media management, and marketing consultancy, with a stated 20+ years of founding-team experience and a small core team in the 10-15 person range.

The agency serves a diversified enterprise and government client base across more than 10 verticals, including betting/gaming (Superbet, MagicJackpot), banking (ING Bank, BCR), telecommunications (Digi, Orange, UPC), retail (Mega Mall), energy (Electrica Furnizare), food and beverage (Cris-Tim, Caroli Foods, Liliac Wines, Alexandrion), healthcare (Biofarm, Synevo, Renew Institute), media (Europa FM, Virgin Radio), and government/cultural institutions (Bucharest City Hall, RCI, ANOFM). It has built supporting capabilities in custom gamified platforms (ON Pharma, Equatorial Marathon, Ludoteca), cause-based and pro bono campaigns (MozaiQ LGBTQIA+ rights, Renew Institute femicide manifesto), and signature cultural installations such as the "Made of Goals — The Golden Generation Monument" for Bucharest City Hall, which received international recognition on BestAdsOnTV.

Rusu+Bortun's revenue model is professional services-based, combining project fees, retainer contracts, and campaign-based pricing on multi-year engagements. The agency markets primarily through direct consultative sales, supported by an organic content footprint across its website, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok, plus industry recognition (ADC*RO, Golden Drum, ADCE, Cresta Awards) and speaking presence at Romanian creative-industry events. Its reported 2021 revenue exceeded 20 million lei across the advertising and branding businesses, and it has continued expanding through subsidiary launches (Brand Growers), ecosystem integration (Casa Maură), and international visibility plays (the 365 Days of Romania in Times Square initiative with Blindspot and Biz, launched December 2023).

Name

Rusu+Bortun

Legal name

Rusu+Borțun

Website

https://rusubortun.ro

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rusu+Bortun is an independent Romanian creative and branding agency in Bucharest, founded in 2008, delivering integrated strategy, creative, digital production, and social media services to enterprise and government clients across betting, banking, telecom, retail, F&B, and public-sector verticals. It operates with subsidiaries Brand Growers and Cyber Growers under the Casa Maură group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Advertising and Creative Agency Services

NAICS

Advertising Agencies (541810), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418), Graphic Design Services (541430), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Advertising (7310)

akta.pro primary industry

Customer Engagement & Messaging (Email, SMS, Push, In-App) (BPAFAFAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

SMS/MMS & Messaging Marketing Services (Text, RCS, WhatsApp/OTT) (MPAAAIAB)

Keywords

• Brand strategy services
• Creative advertising agency
• Digital branding solutions
• Social media management
• Marketing consultancy services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bucharest

HQ country

Romania

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Advertising & Creative Services: Core agency services including brand strategy, creative campaigns, digital production, and social media management. Revenue generated through project fees, retainer contracts, and campaign-based pricing for clients ranging from local entrepreneurs to international companies.
2. Branding Services (via Brand Growers): Brand consultancy, design, and rhetoric services provided through subsidiary Brand Growers, specializing in brand strategy and identity development.
3. Digital Services (via Cyber Growers): Digital development and technology services provided through subsidiary Cyber Growers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Rusu+Bortun is an independent creative and advertising agency providing brand strategy, UX/UI and digital production (websites, apps, digital activations), creative advertising concepts, and KPI-focused social media editorial services. The agency also offers marketing consultancy spanning communication planning, employer branding, and CSR stream development, serving clients across retail, telecom, banking, energy, betting, food & beverage, government, and NGO sectors.

Product overview

Rusu+Bortun is an independent creative and marketing agency offering an integrated portfolio of services including strategy, digital (UX/UI, websites, apps, digital activations), creative advertising, and social media management. Founded in 2008, the agency supports entrepreneurial growth through branding, design, technology, and digital storytelling. The agency also provides consultancy services for communication planning, employer branding, and CSR. The agency operates under the Casa Maură group of companies at Corbeni Street, Bucharest, integrating advertising, branding (through Brand Growers), and digital services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Brand Strategy Services
• Digital Production Services
• Creative Advertising Services
• Social Media Services
• Marketing Consultancy Services
• Gamification Platform Development

Quantifiable outcome

• 2nd place Agency of the Year and 2nd place Client of the Year at ADC*RO Awards 2025
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers41 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• H&McoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for ASAP sustainability initiative - ASAP x H&M campaign supporting H&M's "Innovation Stories" platform featuring sustainable clothing lines (EVO by Fulgar, Desserto).
• BlindspotflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2023Co-initiators of "365 Days of Romania in Times Square" project - a year-long initiative promoting Romanian brands and values on Nasdaq billboard in Times Square. Blindspot provides digital billboard automation platform while Rusu+Bortun contributes creative strategy and brand development through Brand Growers.
• BizflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2023Co-initiators of "365 Days of Romania in Times Square" project. Biz provides editorial coverage and media support, Rusu+Bortun provides creative services. Project launches December 2023 and runs for 365 days.
• MozaiQ AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2023Pro bono partnership for "Iubim la fel" (We Love the Same) LGBTQIA+ awareness campaign addressing civil partnerships recognition in Romania following European Court of Human Rights ruling.
• Brand GrowerscoreOthersSubsidiary company specializing in brand consultancy, design, and rhetoric. Rusu+Bortun acquired/launched Brand Growers to expand integrated service offering.
• Cyber GrowerscoreOthersSubsidiary company for digital development services. Part of Rusu+Bortun's integrated group structure enabling digital production capabilities.
• Apollo111coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term creative partnership with Apollo111 Theatre and Bar. Rusu+Bortun provides branding, social media, campaign work including Detroit Style pizza launch, poster collections, and theatrical promotions.
• Monument For / Bucharest City HallflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic client partnership for public art and cultural campaigns including "Made of Goals - The Golden Generation Monument" celebrating Romania's 1994 World Cup football team.
• Renew InstitutecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand manifesto campaign for holistic health clinic addressing femicide protests. Campaign achieved 400,000+ organic views. Renew Institute positioned as supportive brand for women's health and resilience.
• Daciana SârbuminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand ambassador for Renew Institute campaign - public figure supporting women's leadership and health advocacy.
• Petru Mușat CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership for Trutzi dual education program addressing labor market needs for qualified iron craftsmen. Campaign bridging gap between education system and job market.
• Romanian Angel Appeal (RAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGO partnership for TB awareness campaign. Joint initiative raising awareness about tuberculosis dangers, transmission, and treatment in Romania.
• Millenium CommunicationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgency partnership for TB awareness campaign with Romanian Angel Appeal.
• ArcticminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFirst brand featured in Times Square project - strongest Romanian brand according to Unlock Market Research and Biz 2023 study.
• ZYX BookscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampaign partner for "Vote for Maria Ressa" project - won Gold award at ADC*RO 2025. Publisher creating awareness for Nobel laureate Maria Ressa.
• DNATA Catering and RetailminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCampaign partnership for Mărțișor and Women's Day edition content campaign.
• Casa MaurăcoreOthersLocation and organizational umbrella for integrated group operations at Corbeni Street. Houses Rusu+Bortun, Brand Growers, and Cyber Growers operations.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Publicis Groupe Romania: Bucharest presence of Publicis network (Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi). Comparable as a direct competitor for the same Romanian enterprise and government clients in banking, telecom, and FMCG.
• McCann Worldgroup Romania: Bucharest office of global creative network competing for the same enterprise clients (ING, banking, telecom). Directly comparable as McCann is the agency from which Rusu+Bortun poached partners for Brand Growers.
• DDB Romania: Local office of DDB network in Bucharest. Comparable as a holding-company-affiliated creative agency competing in the same ADC*RO award circuit and pitching for similar Romanian brand accounts.
• MullenLowe Romania: Bucharest creative agency within the IPG Mediabrands/Mullen Lowe group. Comparable as a mid-to-large creative competitor in the same ADC*RO award landscape and pitching on similar brand campaigns.
• Grapefruit: Romanian independent creative agency with a similar mid-size, award-driven profile. Directly comparable as a Bucharest-based independent competing for the same regional brand budgets and creative talent pool.
• Ogilvy Romania: Bucharest office of Ogilvy network. Comparable as a multinational creative agency serving overlapping enterprise clients in telecom, banking, and consumer goods in the Romanian market.
• Kreative Folio: Independent Romanian creative agency. Comparable as a Bucharest-based independent with similar service scope (branding, digital, social) and target client segments.

Regional players

• Trio Marketing (Trio International): Independent CEE-focused creative and digital agency. Comparable as a regional independent operating across multiple Eastern European markets, competing for the same type of international client localization work.
• Kaktus: Independent creative agency in Sofia, Bulgaria. Comparable as a regional independent in a neighboring Balkan market with a similar integrated branding-and-digital offering and creative-award profile.

Broad incumbents

• Wunderman Thompson Romania: Bucharest office of the WPP-owned digital and creative network. Comparable as a broader incumbent offering integrated CRM, digital, and creative capabilities to enterprise clients in the same Romanian market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/rusubortun
• Xx.com/rusubortun
• Facebookfacebook.com/RusuPlusBortun

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rusu+Bortun