Fingerpaint Group

Ed Mitzen founded Fingerpaint Group in 2008 in Saratoga Springs, New York. The premise was a full-service marketing agency dedicated entirely to health and wellness, an industry where scientific complexity and regulatory oversight make generalist agencies less effective. Mitzen's prior experience at Palio Communications gave him direct insight into the unmet demand for specialized creative services in pharma.

The firm grows primarily through targeted acquisitions of complementary healthcare marketing agencies. Notable acquisitions include 1798, a market access firm, and the healthcare division of LevLane. Fingerpaint retains acquired agencies under their own brand names and typically integrates their founders into its partnership.

Fingerpaint serves pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and consumer health companies. Its work spans creative advertising, medical communications, market access strategy, and data analytics. Clients range from large global pharma companies launching blockbuster therapies to emerging biotechs preparing for their first commercial launches.

The firm is headquartered in Saratoga Springs, New York, with additional offices in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, New York City, and Scottsdale, Arizona. Its operations are concentrated in the United States, though it executes select campaigns for clients with global market needs, particularly in Europe.

Fingerpaint Group is privately held and closely controlled by its founders and equity partners. It is not publicly traded and does not disclose detailed financials. The ownership structure includes equity stakes for leaders of acquired agencies, incentivizing long-term retention and alignment.

Unlike traditional holding companies that absorb acquired firms into a single brand, Fingerpaint maintains distinct brand identities for each agency. Founders of acquired firms receive equity in the parent group and continue operating their agencies with significant autonomy, supported by a centralized back office and shared analytics resources.

MedThink Communications is one of the specialized agencies under the Fingerpaint Group umbrella. It provides medical communications and scientific strategy services, operating as a distinct brand within the group. The acquisition gave Fingerpaint a deeper presence in medical affairs and professional education targeting healthcare providers.