Palisades Media, the agency that counts Netflix among the best customers, abruptly closes its doors

Exclusive: Palisades Media Group, the multi-faceted Santa Monica-based agency known in entertainment circles for its marketing activities like Netflix, has abruptly closed after 26 years in business.

According to multiple sources, the agency’s employees showed up for work on Friday and an email was sent early in the morning informing them that all of the company’s offices would be closed, effective immediately. Employees are paid today and receive a third of their vacation time, said one person familiar with the situation, who has no severance pay or extended health insurance.

Given the role of agencies as intermediaries in the advertising industry, which often withdraw money from customers and place orders with platforms that convey branded messages, the sudden move surprised many actors in the advertising community. This leaves questions about the fate of Palisades’ controlled marketing budget, part of which totals millions of dollars.

Palisades owner and CEO Roger Schaffner did not immediately respond to Deadline’s emails and voice messages. General messages to the company were also not returned.

Under the motto “Speak softly and be fast,” the agency handled media buying, creativity and social media for a variety of clients. Along with Netflix, the company’s website includes cultural and entertainment clients such as Bleecker Street, Orion Pictures, Hollywood Bowl, San Francisco Opera, and smart TV maker Vizio. In addition to the media world, his list also included Duluth Trading Co., Pacific Life, and Zelle.

The company’s latest post on its corporate Facebook account came out last Tuesday. “glad For Netflix’s 105 Emmy Nominations! Read the post. “We are proud of our partners and the PMG team for this recognition and future success.

Nellie Andreeva and Anthony D’Alessandro contributed to this report.