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VYPE and Phlox Unite to Elevate High School Sports Storytelling
Houston, TX (March 1, 2026) - VYPE Media has completed its merger with Phlox Photography, bringing together two powerful brands focused on one mission: helping schools and families tell their stories through capturing and preserving unforgettable moments.
Effective March 1, the integration expands VYPE’s action photography and video coverage across Texas and into new markets, while strengthening booster club fundraising programs that directly support athletic communities.
For athletic administrators, coaches, athletes and families:
- Expanded Coverage Across Sports and Events
- Certified Professional Storytellers on the Sidelines
- More High-Quality Action Photography and Videography
- More Memories Preserved Long After the Season Ends
- A Wider Range of Media Photography Offerings
- More Opportunities for Booster Club Partnerships
“Phlox is the missing piece,” said Derek Dusek, CEO of VYPE Media. “Together, we are building a platform that delivers elite visual storytelling for schools and families at scale.”
Phlox Founder Tom Dendy added, “Partnering with VYPE allows us to expand our action sports photography and fundraising programs across hundreds of schools, enhancing the experience for athletes and families.”
The merger brings national-level photography leadership under Director of Photography Todd Shurtleff, who served for 18 years as Director of Photography at MaxPreps, building its Professional Photographers Network as the gold standard for high school sports coverage nationwide.
Also joining the photography team is Photo Editor Jim Redman. Following Todd’s tenure, Jim Redman was promoted to Director of Photography at MaxPreps in late 2021, serving in that role for two years before retiring.
Now returning to the industry as VYPE Photo Editor, Jim brings decades of professional and national-level sports photography experience back to high school athletics, further strengthening VYPE’s commitment to elite standards and championship-level storytelling.
At its core, this partnership is about storytellers capturing the moments that matter most.
For VYPE Chief Content Officer Matt Malatesta, the integration strengthens both sides of the business.
“Bringing in Phlox cross-cuts both lines of our business,” Malatesta said. “We can offer spotlight coverage to parents of their student-athletes while bolstering our action photography for our media content department.”
To learn more or request coverage in your market, visit https://vypemedia.com or https://vype.com.
Schools not currently served are encouraged to submit a request through thewebsite.
VYPE Media continues to redefine how high school sports stories are told and remembered.
MEDIA CONTACT: VYPE Media713-969-7105
info@vypemedia.com
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