I'm not sure how much you can really read into a couple of big name agencies being bought out by a couple of much bigger name companies with very deep pockets.

I'm not sure how much you can really read into a couple of big name agencies being bought out by a couple of much bigger name companies with very deep pockets. Presumably the founders of the big name agencies are in their 40s by now, and perhaps they thought that taking a huge pile of money and accepting a position as "EVP of Design" at a huge company would be a pleasant way to spend a few years whilst they think of a new hobby to take up.