http://www.rosetta.com/WhoWeAre/News/Pages/ViewPress.aspx?itemid=222
Rosetta, the nation’s largest independent digital and direct interactive agency, and LEVEL Studios, the California-based integrated marketing and product development agency, today announced the acquisition of LEVEL by Rosetta. Purchase price and terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The combination, which places Rosetta among the top five digital advertising agencies in the US, was motivated by the desire of the two independent agencies to anticipate and meet the evolving needs of their clients for increasingly sophisticated and integrated marketing strategies and programs across all interactive touch points. The addition of LEVEL’s three California locations gives Rosetta a significant West Coast presence and the ability to better serve clients wherever they are located.
LEVEL’s expertise in creating personally relevant total user experiences through the interplay of branded content, technology platforms and connected devices has powered the agency’s rapid growth to a projected $45 million in 2010. This expertise has enabled LEVEL to help build stronger relationships between brands and consumers for leading clients such as Hewlett-Packard, Cisco, Apple, Qualcomm, Toyota, Micron and RIM.
With 215 team members across its San Luis Obispo (headquarters), San Jose and Los Angeles, CA studios, LEVEL has successfully driven a culture of innovation through LEVEL Labs, an R&D effort focused on the evolution of user experience, digital content delivery and mobile application development.
With the acquisition, Rosetta will have estimated 2010 revenues of $215 million, more than 1,000 team members, 10 offices in the US and Canada, and unsurpassed expertise across all digital and direct touch points. Prior to the acquisition of LEVEL, Rosetta ranked as the nation’s largest independent interactive agency and one of the 10 largest overall, according to Advertising Age.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Havas Takes Over Search Firm Acmic
http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/agency/e3i38fc3a9296f214d3ad4eecb2b6df656b
Havas has taken a majority stake in SEO firm Acmic Interactive, renaming the company Euro RSCG 4D Matrix. Acmic services domestic and global clients, offering a range of digital services, including search engine marketing, search engine optimization, social media marketing, display advertising, mobile marketing, analytics and Web design. It is headquartered in Bangalore, India, and is staffed with 60 employees.
Havas has taken a majority stake in SEO firm Acmic Interactive, renaming the company Euro RSCG 4D Matrix. Acmic services domestic and global clients, offering a range of digital services, including search engine marketing, search engine optimization, social media marketing, display advertising, mobile marketing, analytics and Web design. It is headquartered in Bangalore, India, and is staffed with 60 employees.
JWT Acquires Digitaria
http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/agency/e3i08c9076cee49da84835eb0547d78b253?imw=Y
JWT has acquired Digitaria, a San Diego-based shop known for its development of Web sites and mobile platforms for the likes of the National Football League, Best Western and Qualcomm.
The 100-person shop will become a separate unit of JWT, with its own management and profit and loss responsibilities. Current CEO Dan Khabie will remain in that capacity.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Digitaria, which opened in 1997, generated more than $14 million in revenue in the 12 months that ended on March 31, according to WPP.Digitaria also has service offices in New York, Dallas and Los Angeles, with a couple of account management and sales executives in each. As a unit of JWT, the shop hopes to work on global brands and expand to overseas markets, according to David Eastman, worldwide digital director and North American CEO at JWT.
In a statement, Khabie said that JWT "offers our team the opportunity to excel on a global playing field."Digitaria represents Eastman's first acquisition since he became worldwide digital director in February 2009. He continues to scout for other potential deals, particularly in the realm of social media marketing.
Deal-making is part of a three-pronged strategy Eastman is pursuing to develop JWT's capabilities in the digital space.
JWT has acquired Digitaria, a San Diego-based shop known for its development of Web sites and mobile platforms for the likes of the National Football League, Best Western and Qualcomm.
The 100-person shop will become a separate unit of JWT, with its own management and profit and loss responsibilities. Current CEO Dan Khabie will remain in that capacity.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Digitaria, which opened in 1997, generated more than $14 million in revenue in the 12 months that ended on March 31, according to WPP.Digitaria also has service offices in New York, Dallas and Los Angeles, with a couple of account management and sales executives in each. As a unit of JWT, the shop hopes to work on global brands and expand to overseas markets, according to David Eastman, worldwide digital director and North American CEO at JWT.
In a statement, Khabie said that JWT "offers our team the opportunity to excel on a global playing field."Digitaria represents Eastman's first acquisition since he became worldwide digital director in February 2009. He continues to scout for other potential deals, particularly in the realm of social media marketing.
Deal-making is part of a three-pronged strategy Eastman is pursuing to develop JWT's capabilities in the digital space.
Social network ad spending to hit $1.7 billion in 2010
http://venturebeat.com/2010/08/16/social-network-ad-spending-to-hit-1-7-billion-in-2010/
According to new research released Monday by eMarketer, U.S. advertisers will spend an estimated $1.7 billion in ads on social networks in 2010, accounting for 6.7 percent of all online ad spending.
The dramatic rise — with growth of 20 percent this year, accelerating to 24 percent next year — shows why Google, the biggest player in online advertising, is finally taking the threat from social networks seriously, and Facebook is moving to protect its turf.
The gradual economic recovery and the growing relevancy of social media in marketers’ mindshares is credited for the increase in spending. eMarketer previously forecast the market at $1.3 billion back in December. The research firm says it has increased its predictions as a result of “strong performance from online ad spending in general, and Facebook in particular.”
According to new research released Monday by eMarketer, U.S. advertisers will spend an estimated $1.7 billion in ads on social networks in 2010, accounting for 6.7 percent of all online ad spending.
The dramatic rise — with growth of 20 percent this year, accelerating to 24 percent next year — shows why Google, the biggest player in online advertising, is finally taking the threat from social networks seriously, and Facebook is moving to protect its turf.
The gradual economic recovery and the growing relevancy of social media in marketers’ mindshares is credited for the increase in spending. eMarketer previously forecast the market at $1.3 billion back in December. The research firm says it has increased its predictions as a result of “strong performance from online ad spending in general, and Facebook in particular.”
LeapFrog Solutions Acquires Kensington Creative Worldwide
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100817005136/en/LeapFrog-Solutions-Acquires-Kensington-Creative-Worldwide
LeapFrog Solutions, Inc., a full-service strategic marketing communications firm, announced today that it has acquired Kensington Creative Worldwide, Inc., a graphic design studio and marketing agency based in McLean, Virginia.
LeapFrog Solutions, Inc., a full-service strategic marketing communications firm, announced today that it has acquired Kensington Creative Worldwide, Inc., a graphic design studio and marketing agency based in McLean, Virginia.
Canadian Primedia Acquires Kubas Consultants
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/92390
Canadian Primedia, Canada's largest independent print and online rep house, has acquired Kubas Consultants, a marketing research and consulting firm established in 1977.
Kubas Consultants, headed by research pioneer Len Kubas, serves U.S., Canadian and international clients in sectors such as retailing, media, financial services and allied industries on consumer and business to business issues.
"This acquisition diversifies and strengthens Primedia and provides us with some exciting new services to add to our company's offering," said Ron Clark, President Canadian Primedia.
Canadian Primedia, Canada's largest independent print and online rep house, has acquired Kubas Consultants, a marketing research and consulting firm established in 1977.
Kubas Consultants, headed by research pioneer Len Kubas, serves U.S., Canadian and international clients in sectors such as retailing, media, financial services and allied industries on consumer and business to business issues.
"This acquisition diversifies and strengthens Primedia and provides us with some exciting new services to add to our company's offering," said Ron Clark, President Canadian Primedia.
SPAR Group Completes Acquisition of Wings & Ink & National Marketing Services
http://www.wingsink.com/announcement.html
April 2010
SPAR Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGRP) (the "Company" or "SPAR"), a leading supplier of retail merchandising and other marketing services throughout the United States and internationally, today announced it has completed the acquisition of Wings & Ink, a leading marketing and merchandising company serving customers throughout Canada. The transaction is expected to generate at least $3 million in annualized revenues.
Wings & Ink marks the second acquisition, including National Marketing Services, which SPAR has made within the last 4 months. The combined acquisitions will add approximately $9 million in total revenue on an annualized basis. The Wings & Ink transaction is in line with the Company's previously announced growth strategy of acquiring synergistic businesses that can be immediately implemented into the Company's core marketing and merchandising business. This acquisition is being funded with existing working capital and a portion of existing debt. The final purchase price of the acquisition is based on a twenty-four month earn out agreement.
Wings & Ink further enhances SPAR's existing presence in Canada through its subsidiary, SPAR Canada. Wings & Ink operates in a similar fashion to SPAR through two divisions, marketing and merchandising services. Wings & Ink was founded in 1994 and has built a reputation and brand name as a quality company in the industry, providing excellent customer service. The transaction adds many new clients to SPAR Canada's customer base which are well known retailers and consumer package goods manufacturers. SPAR Canada welcomes Wings & Ink's core management team, including the managing director, to the SPAR Canada team. The new management team's experience in operating within the merchandising industry in Canada is expected to help grow SPAR's business through new customer relationships and cross selling opportunities."Operating in the niche business of marketing and merchandising services and being an industry leader has presented SPAR with the fortunate opportunity to acquire valuable assets at attractive valuations to help fuel the growth of our business," stated Gary Raymond, President and CEO of SPAR Group Inc.
"Today SPAR Canada is operating successfully on a national and multi-lingual basis in Canada and continues to enjoy a strong recurring business with existing customers. Wings & Ink not only adds a new retail and manufacturing customer base, but also helps us enhance our market penetration in all geographical regions of Canada through the added workforce and reach of Wings & Ink. We believe the combination of our proprietary technology, the Wings and Ink team and their great customer service is a winning platform for growth and margin improvements. Although the transaction closed on April 1, 2010 both teams have been working diligently over the past several months to ensure that the finalized combination of SPAR Canada and Wings & Ink would make a seamless transition. Going forward we will continue to aggressively evaluate acquisition opportunities such as Wings & Ink and National Marketing Services to help grow our business and further cement ourselves as an industry leader."
April 2010
SPAR Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGRP) (the "Company" or "SPAR"), a leading supplier of retail merchandising and other marketing services throughout the United States and internationally, today announced it has completed the acquisition of Wings & Ink, a leading marketing and merchandising company serving customers throughout Canada. The transaction is expected to generate at least $3 million in annualized revenues.
Wings & Ink marks the second acquisition, including National Marketing Services, which SPAR has made within the last 4 months. The combined acquisitions will add approximately $9 million in total revenue on an annualized basis. The Wings & Ink transaction is in line with the Company's previously announced growth strategy of acquiring synergistic businesses that can be immediately implemented into the Company's core marketing and merchandising business. This acquisition is being funded with existing working capital and a portion of existing debt. The final purchase price of the acquisition is based on a twenty-four month earn out agreement.
Wings & Ink further enhances SPAR's existing presence in Canada through its subsidiary, SPAR Canada. Wings & Ink operates in a similar fashion to SPAR through two divisions, marketing and merchandising services. Wings & Ink was founded in 1994 and has built a reputation and brand name as a quality company in the industry, providing excellent customer service. The transaction adds many new clients to SPAR Canada's customer base which are well known retailers and consumer package goods manufacturers. SPAR Canada welcomes Wings & Ink's core management team, including the managing director, to the SPAR Canada team. The new management team's experience in operating within the merchandising industry in Canada is expected to help grow SPAR's business through new customer relationships and cross selling opportunities."Operating in the niche business of marketing and merchandising services and being an industry leader has presented SPAR with the fortunate opportunity to acquire valuable assets at attractive valuations to help fuel the growth of our business," stated Gary Raymond, President and CEO of SPAR Group Inc.
"Today SPAR Canada is operating successfully on a national and multi-lingual basis in Canada and continues to enjoy a strong recurring business with existing customers. Wings & Ink not only adds a new retail and manufacturing customer base, but also helps us enhance our market penetration in all geographical regions of Canada through the added workforce and reach of Wings & Ink. We believe the combination of our proprietary technology, the Wings and Ink team and their great customer service is a winning platform for growth and margin improvements. Although the transaction closed on April 1, 2010 both teams have been working diligently over the past several months to ensure that the finalized combination of SPAR Canada and Wings & Ink would make a seamless transition. Going forward we will continue to aggressively evaluate acquisition opportunities such as Wings & Ink and National Marketing Services to help grow our business and further cement ourselves as an industry leader."
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Syncapse Corp. Raises Private Equity Funding for Expansion of Social Technology Platform,
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Syncapse-Corp-Raises-Private-Equity-Funding-Expansion-Social-Technology-Platform-Adds-1256987.htm
The expansion of Syncapse's Board of Directors is concurrent with a recent private equity raise of $3.3 million that will further accelerate Syncapse's global growth. Syncapse will use the funding to invest in the expansion of SocialTALK™, a tool that allows brands to more effectively create, publish and measure their content strategy and posting schedules. SocialTALK launched in February 2010 and continues to experience record success in its early days on the market.
The expansion of Syncapse's Board of Directors is concurrent with a recent private equity raise of $3.3 million that will further accelerate Syncapse's global growth. Syncapse will use the funding to invest in the expansion of SocialTALK™, a tool that allows brands to more effectively create, publish and measure their content strategy and posting schedules. SocialTALK launched in February 2010 and continues to experience record success in its early days on the market.
Syncapse Corp. Acquires Nudge Social Media
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Syncapse-Corp-Acquires-Nudge-Social-Media-Deepening-Its-Technology-Solutions-Suite-Global-1316387.htm
Syncapse Corp., a global leader in social media technology, today announced the completion of its acquisition of Nudge Social Media, a leading London-based social media development firm specializing in social campaigns, Facebook fan pages, applications and games on social networks for brands and agencies.
Syncapse Corp., a global leader in social media technology, today announced the completion of its acquisition of Nudge Social Media, a leading London-based social media development firm specializing in social campaigns, Facebook fan pages, applications and games on social networks for brands and agencies.
Neo acquisition drives a new kind of in-mall Traffic
http://www.marketingmag.ca/english/news/media/article.jsp?content=20100914_150152_7796
Mall advertising company Traffic has expanded its product offering with the acquisition of digital ad firm Neo Advertising Canada. The company has also changed its name to Neo-Traffic. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Traffic specializes in static mall displays and offers experiential marketing capabilities through its Promotions Speed division. Neo Advertising operated approximately 500 digital screens in the food courts of 60 malls across the country.
The merger gives the newly created company a combination of static and digital inventory in 120 of the country's largest malls. The company says it reaches 2.8 million customers a day.
According to Neo-Traffic vice-president and co-founder Ronald Tapiéro, the two companies have had an informal working relationship for the past two years.
"[Neo Advertising] wanted to get out of Canada to focus on their business in Europe, and we were interested in moving into the digital business," said Tapiéro of Monday's transaction. "For us it was a perfect opportunity, and because we knew the company well, it was a pretty easy deal to make."
Tapiéro said there are no short-term plans to transform any of Neo-Traffic's existing static inventory into a digital format, but predicted an industry-wide adoption of digital technology within the next 10 years.
"Some advertisers are still more interested in static and some are more interested in digital," he said. "The fact that we have all different formats helps ensure we meet all their needs."
The deal will have no impact on advertising rates, said Tapiéro.
Mall advertising company Traffic has expanded its product offering with the acquisition of digital ad firm Neo Advertising Canada. The company has also changed its name to Neo-Traffic. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Traffic specializes in static mall displays and offers experiential marketing capabilities through its Promotions Speed division. Neo Advertising operated approximately 500 digital screens in the food courts of 60 malls across the country.
The merger gives the newly created company a combination of static and digital inventory in 120 of the country's largest malls. The company says it reaches 2.8 million customers a day.
According to Neo-Traffic vice-president and co-founder Ronald Tapiéro, the two companies have had an informal working relationship for the past two years.
"[Neo Advertising] wanted to get out of Canada to focus on their business in Europe, and we were interested in moving into the digital business," said Tapiéro of Monday's transaction. "For us it was a perfect opportunity, and because we knew the company well, it was a pretty easy deal to make."
Tapiéro said there are no short-term plans to transform any of Neo-Traffic's existing static inventory into a digital format, but predicted an industry-wide adoption of digital technology within the next 10 years.
"Some advertisers are still more interested in static and some are more interested in digital," he said. "The fact that we have all different formats helps ensure we meet all their needs."
The deal will have no impact on advertising rates, said Tapiéro.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Mijo acquires Adbeast
http://www.marketingmag.ca/english/news/agency/article.jsp?content=20100902_144127_4856
Digital television and radio spot distributor Mijo has expanded its operational scope with the purchase of Toronto-based Adbeast. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
Established in 2000, Adbeast caters to the marketing and advertising industry by offering online workspaces and collaboration networks. Its suite of services enable real-time collaboration on everything from creative development and project supervision to commercial production, digital archiving and awards show management.
"We'll now be able to provide the whole spectrum of services for the creative community," said Dan Wong, director, sales and marketing for Mijo. "It can be either a la carte or a full-service response."
In a message on the Adbeast web site, company founder and CEO Steve Hancock said that combining with Mijo allows the company "to create a collaboration platform and comprehensive suite of services that can manage every aspect of the creative process from concept to final distribution across any media. This is an offering that is unparalleled in the industry."
Hancock will join Mijo as vice-president, principal. No staffing changes are expected as a result of the acquisition.
Cynthia Littler, Mijo's senior vice-president, managing director, said that the Adbeast name will be retained. "We believe there's a lot of brand equity," she said.
Originally published in Marketing Magazine,
-->
Digital television and radio spot distributor Mijo has expanded its operational scope with the purchase of Toronto-based Adbeast. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
Established in 2000, Adbeast caters to the marketing and advertising industry by offering online workspaces and collaboration networks. Its suite of services enable real-time collaboration on everything from creative development and project supervision to commercial production, digital archiving and awards show management.
"We'll now be able to provide the whole spectrum of services for the creative community," said Dan Wong, director, sales and marketing for Mijo. "It can be either a la carte or a full-service response."
In a message on the Adbeast web site, company founder and CEO Steve Hancock said that combining with Mijo allows the company "to create a collaboration platform and comprehensive suite of services that can manage every aspect of the creative process from concept to final distribution across any media. This is an offering that is unparalleled in the industry."
Hancock will join Mijo as vice-president, principal. No staffing changes are expected as a result of the acquisition.
Cynthia Littler, Mijo's senior vice-president, managing director, said that the Adbeast name will be retained. "We believe there's a lot of brand equity," she said.
Originally published in Marketing Magazine,
-->
Source Marketing (MDC sub) acquires Plaid, creates Humongo
http://www.fairfieldcitizenonline.com/default/article/Merger-creates-Humongo-firm-414947.php
The merger with Source Marketing, a subsidiary of New York City-based marketing communications firm MDC Partners, will allow Humongo to handle an ever-increasing workload as a result of the growing social media sector, Orht said.
The merger with Source Marketing, a subsidiary of New York City-based marketing communications firm MDC Partners, will allow Humongo to handle an ever-increasing workload as a result of the growing social media sector, Orht said.
Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal & Partners acquiring Kwittken & Company
Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal & Partners in New York, which is owned by MDC, is acquiring a majority stake in Kwittken & Company, a public relations agency in New York with annual revenue approaching $10 million and clients like Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, McGraw-Hill and Thomson Reuters.
The acquisition is costing MDC an estimated $10 million to $15 million. Kwittken will become an operating unit of Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal, the second-largest MDC agency after Crispin Porter & Bogusky. Additional information about the deal is to be announced on Thursday by executives of Kwittken and Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal.
Adrenalina, an MDC agency specializing in marketing to Hispanic consumers, was recently merged with Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal.
So, too, were two MDC agencies in Atlanta: Fletcher Martin and TrendCore, which gave Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal an Atlanta office, its first outside New York since 2006, when an office in San Francisco was closed after nine years.
Last fall, MDC described plans to spend $100 million on acquisitions in the coming 12 to 18 months. “Already, we’ve spent $75 million,” Mr. Nadal said, “and we’ve got lots more planned.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/09/business/media/09adco.html?_r=1&ref=media
The acquisition is costing MDC an estimated $10 million to $15 million. Kwittken will become an operating unit of Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal, the second-largest MDC agency after Crispin Porter & Bogusky. Additional information about the deal is to be announced on Thursday by executives of Kwittken and Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal.
Adrenalina, an MDC agency specializing in marketing to Hispanic consumers, was recently merged with Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal.
So, too, were two MDC agencies in Atlanta: Fletcher Martin and TrendCore, which gave Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal an Atlanta office, its first outside New York since 2006, when an office in San Francisco was closed after nine years.
Last fall, MDC described plans to spend $100 million on acquisitions in the coming 12 to 18 months. “Already, we’ve spent $75 million,” Mr. Nadal said, “and we’ve got lots more planned.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/09/business/media/09adco.html?_r=1&ref=media
Eric Silver Becomes Majority Owner of Amalgamated, New York
http://adage.com/agencynews/article?article_id=145770
Eric Silver is trading in big-agency life to run a small, indie shop. The former top creative at Omnicom Group's DDB is taking a majority ownership stake in 34-person Amalgamated, New York, and will serve as its chief creative officer.
Until now, the three admen who set up Amalgamated in 2003 all had equal stakes in the shop. As part of the changes, co-founder and executive creative director Jason Gaboriau -- who plans to leave the agency to pursue a creative position at a larger shop -- has sold his stake to Mr. Silver. The two other co-founders, Director of Strategy Doug Cameron and CEO Charles Rosen, have also sold portions of their stakes to Mr. Silver, though both maintain minority interest and are remaining with the agency in their current titles.
Mr. Silver's move to Amalgamated reunites a team that worked together for five years at Cliff Freeman in the late 1990s, producing work for clients such as Mike's Hard Lemonade, Fox Sports and Budget Car Rental and other brands. "All of us spent quite a bit of time together at Cliff Freeman," said Amalgamated CEO Mr. Rosen. "Eric quit and 15 minutes later, Doug, Jason and I went into Cliff's office; the three of us left to go start a small agency and he left to take on big-agency opportunities. We all chose the thing we needed to choose at that time. In that seven or eight years, Doug and I learned what we'd need to do to take the agency to the next level to attract a certain calber of clients, and Eric became very, very ready to do his own thing, but it took him that journey to be ready to do that."
Mr. Silver has already contributed to bringing in a new client for Amalgamated; he helped lead a pitch for used car company CarMax in which it last week prevailed as the winner. That account is a boost for the shop, which earlier this year lost longtime client Mike's Hard Lemonade to Arnold, New York after a review. In addition to Carmax, the agency's current client roster includes Unilever's Ben & Jerry's brand, Coca-Cola Co., Qdoba Mexican Grill and MSG Networks.
Eric Silver is trading in big-agency life to run a small, indie shop. The former top creative at Omnicom Group's DDB is taking a majority ownership stake in 34-person Amalgamated, New York, and will serve as its chief creative officer.
Until now, the three admen who set up Amalgamated in 2003 all had equal stakes in the shop. As part of the changes, co-founder and executive creative director Jason Gaboriau -- who plans to leave the agency to pursue a creative position at a larger shop -- has sold his stake to Mr. Silver. The two other co-founders, Director of Strategy Doug Cameron and CEO Charles Rosen, have also sold portions of their stakes to Mr. Silver, though both maintain minority interest and are remaining with the agency in their current titles.
Mr. Silver's move to Amalgamated reunites a team that worked together for five years at Cliff Freeman in the late 1990s, producing work for clients such as Mike's Hard Lemonade, Fox Sports and Budget Car Rental and other brands. "All of us spent quite a bit of time together at Cliff Freeman," said Amalgamated CEO Mr. Rosen. "Eric quit and 15 minutes later, Doug, Jason and I went into Cliff's office; the three of us left to go start a small agency and he left to take on big-agency opportunities. We all chose the thing we needed to choose at that time. In that seven or eight years, Doug and I learned what we'd need to do to take the agency to the next level to attract a certain calber of clients, and Eric became very, very ready to do his own thing, but it took him that journey to be ready to do that."
Mr. Silver has already contributed to bringing in a new client for Amalgamated; he helped lead a pitch for used car company CarMax in which it last week prevailed as the winner. That account is a boost for the shop, which earlier this year lost longtime client Mike's Hard Lemonade to Arnold, New York after a review. In addition to Carmax, the agency's current client roster includes Unilever's Ben & Jerry's brand, Coca-Cola Co., Qdoba Mexican Grill and MSG Networks.
Newspapers Slow Declines in Ads
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703720004575477731838444818.html?mod=WSJ_business_whatsNews
Spending on newspaper ads across the U.S. declined 5.6% in the second quarter, an industry trade group said Tuesday, marking another quarter that the decrease has narrowed on a year-over-year basis.
Total print- and online-advertising expenditures fell to $6.44 billion from $6.82 billion in the second quarter of 2009, according to the Newspaper Association of America.
After dropping 29% in the second quarter of 2009, the rate of decline in ad spending slipped slightly to 27.9% in the third quarter of that year, and then to 23.7% in the fourth quarter. The decline then moderated considerably in the first quarter of 2010, to 9.7%.
Spending on newspaper ads across the U.S. declined 5.6% in the second quarter, an industry trade group said Tuesday, marking another quarter that the decrease has narrowed on a year-over-year basis.
Total print- and online-advertising expenditures fell to $6.44 billion from $6.82 billion in the second quarter of 2009, according to the Newspaper Association of America.
After dropping 29% in the second quarter of 2009, the rate of decline in ad spending slipped slightly to 27.9% in the third quarter of that year, and then to 23.7% in the fourth quarter. The decline then moderated considerably in the first quarter of 2010, to 9.7%.
Study: Marketers set to splurge for online data sources
http://www.btobonline.com/article/20100908/FREE/100909957/study-marketers-set-to-splurge-for-online-data-sources U.S. marketers will more than double their annual spending on online-derived data sources over the next two years, investing as much as $840.0 million by 2012 on database lists and information about digital audiences and online behaviors, according to a new report by marketing consultancy Winterberry Group.
The report, “The Changing Mission of Marketing Data,” noted that U.S. marketers will gradually increase their spending on all marketing data, to $8.0 billion by 2012, but the entirely of that growth, as much as $1.5 billion, will be driven by digital vendors, such as online data compilers and exchange platforms.
Winterberry said the greatest challenge for marketers is managing “integrated data,” including contact information from online resources together with traditional database management vendors, publishers and e-commerce platforms.
The report was jointly sponsored by marketing data company Acxiom Corp. and data warehousing company Netezza Corp.
http://www.netezza.com/eBooks/changing-mission.pdf
The report, “The Changing Mission of Marketing Data,” noted that U.S. marketers will gradually increase their spending on all marketing data, to $8.0 billion by 2012, but the entirely of that growth, as much as $1.5 billion, will be driven by digital vendors, such as online data compilers and exchange platforms.
Winterberry said the greatest challenge for marketers is managing “integrated data,” including contact information from online resources together with traditional database management vendors, publishers and e-commerce platforms.
The report was jointly sponsored by marketing data company Acxiom Corp. and data warehousing company Netezza Corp.
http://www.netezza.com/eBooks/changing-mission.pdf
Alterian acquires Intrepid
http://www.alterian.com/ourcompany/intrepid/
http://www.alterian.com/ourcompany/newsevents/news/intrepid/
Alterian (LSE: ALN), the leader in customer engagement technology and solutions, today announced that it has acquired Intrepid, an international market research and social media analytics consultancy. The acquisition further strengthens Alterian's market leadership position in social media marketing, and its application to the mainstream marketing mix.
Intrepid is a consulting business with a heavy focus on providing insights using social media data, enabling social media to be integrated as a core element of mainstream marketing. The company has around 40 staff, and offices in Seattle and London as well as a rapidly growing social media analytics team in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Intrepid is a long standing user of Alterian’s social media monitoring and analytics product, Alterian SM2.
http://www.alterian.com/ourcompany/newsevents/news/intrepid/
Alterian (LSE: ALN), the leader in customer engagement technology and solutions, today announced that it has acquired Intrepid, an international market research and social media analytics consultancy. The acquisition further strengthens Alterian's market leadership position in social media marketing, and its application to the mainstream marketing mix.
Intrepid is a consulting business with a heavy focus on providing insights using social media data, enabling social media to be integrated as a core element of mainstream marketing. The company has around 40 staff, and offices in Seattle and London as well as a rapidly growing social media analytics team in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Intrepid is a long standing user of Alterian’s social media monitoring and analytics product, Alterian SM2.
MarketShare Partners buys JovianData
Marketing analytics and technology company MarketShare Partners has acquired business intelligence company JovianData for an undisclosed price.
MarketShare's software analyzes search, display and social media to determine the impact of these channels on traditional advertising. The company said the acquisition of JovianData technology, which manages data from multiple advertising sources, will enable it to analyze larger data sets faster and more efficiently for quick campaign adjustments.
JovianData employees in San Jose, Calif., and Bangalore, India, will join MarketShare, with JovianData co-founder and CEO Parveen Jain joining MarketShare's board of advisers.
http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100827/FREE/100829924/1078/newsletter011
http://techcrunch.com/2010/08/25/marketshare-partners-acquires-marketing-and-data-analytics-company-joviandata/
"We hear the acquisition price is roughly $8 million but MarketShare Partners declined to reveal the terms of the deal. "
MarketShare previously raised capital from Elevation Partners.
http://www.marketsharepartners.com/documents/EPMSPPressRelease_000.pdf
MarketShare's software analyzes search, display and social media to determine the impact of these channels on traditional advertising. The company said the acquisition of JovianData technology, which manages data from multiple advertising sources, will enable it to analyze larger data sets faster and more efficiently for quick campaign adjustments.
JovianData employees in San Jose, Calif., and Bangalore, India, will join MarketShare, with JovianData co-founder and CEO Parveen Jain joining MarketShare's board of advisers.
http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100827/FREE/100829924/1078/newsletter011
http://techcrunch.com/2010/08/25/marketshare-partners-acquires-marketing-and-data-analytics-company-joviandata/
"We hear the acquisition price is roughly $8 million but MarketShare Partners declined to reveal the terms of the deal. "
MarketShare previously raised capital from Elevation Partners.
http://www.marketsharepartners.com/documents/EPMSPPressRelease_000.pdf
LeapFrog Solutions acquires Kensington Creative
LeapFrog Solutions, a strategic marketing communications company, announced the acquisition of graphic design and marketing agency Kensington Creative Worldwide, McLean, Va. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Under the acquisition, Kensington Creative will be integrated into LeapFrog Solutions, and its staff will relocate to LeapFrog’s office here. http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100816/FREE/100819934/1078/newsletter011
Under the acquisition, Kensington Creative will be integrated into LeapFrog Solutions, and its staff will relocate to LeapFrog’s office here. http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100816/FREE/100819934/1078/newsletter011
IBM to acquire Unica for $480 million
http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100813/FREE/100819958/1078/newsletter011
IBM Corp. continues to push into the marketing automation and consulting arena, announcing today it will acquire marketing management software company Unica Corp. for $480 million.
Unica, based in Waltham, Mass., offers such marketing solutions as NetInsight Web analytics, the Unica 8 Enterprise Marketing suite and Social Media Analytics.
It has has more than 1,500 customers, including Bank of Montreal, Best Buy, Cisco Systems, Citrix Systems and Dow Jones & Co.
Unica had a loss of $22.5 million on revenue $100.6 million in the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2009. The company has swung to the black in each of the past three quarters as revenue has been rising of late.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703960004575427171092347124.html
http://blogs.forrester.com/joseph_stanhope/10-08-13-suresh_vittal_and_joe_stanhope_consider_news_ibm_acquiring_unica
IBM Corp. continues to push into the marketing automation and consulting arena, announcing today it will acquire marketing management software company Unica Corp. for $480 million.
Unica, based in Waltham, Mass., offers such marketing solutions as NetInsight Web analytics, the Unica 8 Enterprise Marketing suite and Social Media Analytics.
It has has more than 1,500 customers, including Bank of Montreal, Best Buy, Cisco Systems, Citrix Systems and Dow Jones & Co.
Unica had a loss of $22.5 million on revenue $100.6 million in the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2009. The company has swung to the black in each of the past three quarters as revenue has been rising of late.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703960004575427171092347124.html
http://blogs.forrester.com/joseph_stanhope/10-08-13-suresh_vittal_and_joe_stanhope_consider_news_ibm_acquiring_unica
JWT New York acquires Digitaria
http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100813/FREE/100819962/1078/newsletter011
JWT North America announced the acquisition of San Diego-based Digitaria, a digital marketing agency. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Under the acquisition, Digitaria will retain its name and operate as a unit of JWT North America. It will keep its headquarters in San Diego, while expanding its presence here.
http://www.wpp.com/wpp/press/press/default.htm?guid=%7B07a058fa-ec9e-4cf7-b4c6-48df8fdd1a93%7D
Digitaria employs 100 people and is based in San Diego with satellite offices in Dallas, Los Angeles and New York.
Clients include Dreamworks, ESPN, FOX Corporation, National Football League, NBC Universal and Qualcomm. Digitaria’s unaudited revenues for the year ended 31 March 2010 were US $14.3 million with gross assets at the same date of US $4.5 million.
http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/agency/e3i08c9076cee49da84835eb0547d78b253
...known for its development of Web sites and mobile platforms for the likes of the National Football League, Best Western and Qualcomm.
Deal-making is part of a three-pronged strategy Eastman is pursuing to develop JWT's capabilities in the digital space. The agency also is hiring top talent and educating existing staffers on the latest in digital marketing.
"You need to think about the base from which we're starting," Eastman said. "We are starting from a predominantly traditional approach to communications.
"We need to have internally sufficient expertise in this space in order to be able to talk to our clients in the right way. Then, I think it's a case of . . . we might need to bring in deep (specialists), whether that's in mobile or shopper marketing or whatever the specific area is. But until you have a degree of understanding in the business itself, it becomes more difficult to find partners to work with."
JWT North America announced the acquisition of San Diego-based Digitaria, a digital marketing agency. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Under the acquisition, Digitaria will retain its name and operate as a unit of JWT North America. It will keep its headquarters in San Diego, while expanding its presence here.
http://www.wpp.com/wpp/press/press/default.htm?guid=%7B07a058fa-ec9e-4cf7-b4c6-48df8fdd1a93%7D
Digitaria employs 100 people and is based in San Diego with satellite offices in Dallas, Los Angeles and New York.
Clients include Dreamworks, ESPN, FOX Corporation, National Football League, NBC Universal and Qualcomm. Digitaria’s unaudited revenues for the year ended 31 March 2010 were US $14.3 million with gross assets at the same date of US $4.5 million.
http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/agency/e3i08c9076cee49da84835eb0547d78b253
...known for its development of Web sites and mobile platforms for the likes of the National Football League, Best Western and Qualcomm.
Deal-making is part of a three-pronged strategy Eastman is pursuing to develop JWT's capabilities in the digital space. The agency also is hiring top talent and educating existing staffers on the latest in digital marketing.
"You need to think about the base from which we're starting," Eastman said. "We are starting from a predominantly traditional approach to communications.
"We need to have internally sufficient expertise in this space in order to be able to talk to our clients in the right way. Then, I think it's a case of . . . we might need to bring in deep (specialists), whether that's in mobile or shopper marketing or whatever the specific area is. But until you have a degree of understanding in the business itself, it becomes more difficult to find partners to work with."
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Euro RSCG Acquires Congruent Media
http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/agency/e3i3b619fdcfedcfc7990c4ff58c6fb6ebb
The trend of holding companies bolstering their digital offerings continues, with Havas' Euro RSCG 4D Discovery acquiring Baltimore-based interactive marketing and design shop Congruent Media.
Congruent now becomes part of the agency's operations in that marketplace. The two firms have worked together previously on various assignments.Congruent founders Dan Dawes (pictured) and Jeffrey Rudolf join Euro RSCG 4D as senior vice presidents. All told, the agency employs about 20 staffers who will enter the Euro RSCG 4D fold. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Ron Bess, president of Euro RSCG North America, said the move would "enhance [our] behavioral marketing strength and infuse our digital at the core model."Congruent clients include Metal Roofing Alliance, Speakman Co., Hurricane Grill & Wings, Pollard Banknote, McElroy Metal and Johns Hopkins University, among others.
As the recession recedes and more ad dollars are spent online, i-shop acquisitions have accelerated. In recent weeks, Euro RSCG 4D added Acmic; WPP-owed JWT absorbed Digitaria; and Aegis Media snapped up Mitchell Communication.
The trend of holding companies bolstering their digital offerings continues, with Havas' Euro RSCG 4D Discovery acquiring Baltimore-based interactive marketing and design shop Congruent Media.
Congruent now becomes part of the agency's operations in that marketplace. The two firms have worked together previously on various assignments.Congruent founders Dan Dawes (pictured) and Jeffrey Rudolf join Euro RSCG 4D as senior vice presidents. All told, the agency employs about 20 staffers who will enter the Euro RSCG 4D fold. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Ron Bess, president of Euro RSCG North America, said the move would "enhance [our] behavioral marketing strength and infuse our digital at the core model."Congruent clients include Metal Roofing Alliance, Speakman Co., Hurricane Grill & Wings, Pollard Banknote, McElroy Metal and Johns Hopkins University, among others.
As the recession recedes and more ad dollars are spent online, i-shop acquisitions have accelerated. In recent weeks, Euro RSCG 4D added Acmic; WPP-owed JWT absorbed Digitaria; and Aegis Media snapped up Mitchell Communication.
Pharmaceutical Makers, Travel Firms and Hollywood Have Yet to Restore Cuts to Marketing Budgets
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703791804575439533156807488.html?mod=dist_smartbrief
Recent earning reports from top media companies show U.S. advertising spending is returning with a bang. But not every industry is increasing expenditures, a sign that media and ad companies have some ground to make up before they fully recover.
Industries such as travel, motion pictures and pharmaceuticals have cut ad spending during the first five months of 2010 compared with the year-earlier period, according to Kantar Media, a WPP PLC company that tracks ad spending across TV, print, radio, outdoor and some online.
Ad outlays by travel and tourism companies decreased 9.7% to $1.8 billion during the period while spending by motion picture companies fell 7.5% to $14.7 billion, Kantar says.
A full rebound will take time, says Jon Swallen, Kantar's senior vice president of research.
"It's a two step process," Mr. Swallen says. "Step one is a reversal from declines to increases and the second step for advertisers is to figure out how aggressively do they expand."
Overall, the U.S. ad market is expected to grow 1.1% this year to $149.9 billion, predicts ZenithOptimedia, a media buying firm owned by Publicis Groupe SA.
It has been a quicker-than-expected comeback from one of the advertising world's worst droughts in decades. Ad spending plummeted 12.3% last year, according to Kantar. But the estimated spending for 2011 is still well below the level of 2007, when companies shelled out $177.6 billion on U.S. ads, according to ZenithOptimedia.
Car markers such as General Motors Co., financial services companies and consumer product companies such as Procter & Gamble Co., have helped fuel stronger earnings for media and ad companies by significantly raising their ad expenditures.
Recent earning reports from top media companies show U.S. advertising spending is returning with a bang. But not every industry is increasing expenditures, a sign that media and ad companies have some ground to make up before they fully recover.
Industries such as travel, motion pictures and pharmaceuticals have cut ad spending during the first five months of 2010 compared with the year-earlier period, according to Kantar Media, a WPP PLC company that tracks ad spending across TV, print, radio, outdoor and some online.
Ad outlays by travel and tourism companies decreased 9.7% to $1.8 billion during the period while spending by motion picture companies fell 7.5% to $14.7 billion, Kantar says.
A full rebound will take time, says Jon Swallen, Kantar's senior vice president of research.
"It's a two step process," Mr. Swallen says. "Step one is a reversal from declines to increases and the second step for advertisers is to figure out how aggressively do they expand."
Overall, the U.S. ad market is expected to grow 1.1% this year to $149.9 billion, predicts ZenithOptimedia, a media buying firm owned by Publicis Groupe SA.
It has been a quicker-than-expected comeback from one of the advertising world's worst droughts in decades. Ad spending plummeted 12.3% last year, according to Kantar. But the estimated spending for 2011 is still well below the level of 2007, when companies shelled out $177.6 billion on U.S. ads, according to ZenithOptimedia.
Car markers such as General Motors Co., financial services companies and consumer product companies such as Procter & Gamble Co., have helped fuel stronger earnings for media and ad companies by significantly raising their ad expenditures.
Email marketer iContact snags $40M to help small businesses fill inboxes
http://deals.venturebeat.com/2010/08/30/icontact-funding/?dbk
iContact, a provider of email marketing services like newsletter creation and distribution, just raised $40 million in its second round of funding spearheaded by JMI Equity.
The email marketing technology is designed for small businesses to help them track email marketing effectiveness — including opens and clicks — as well as offering an automatic way to create and distribute newsletters and the like. The company provides the software to about 65,000 companies.
iContact, a provider of email marketing services like newsletter creation and distribution, just raised $40 million in its second round of funding spearheaded by JMI Equity.
The email marketing technology is designed for small businesses to help them track email marketing effectiveness — including opens and clicks — as well as offering an automatic way to create and distribute newsletters and the like. The company provides the software to about 65,000 companies.
Aegis seeks deals as results boost recovery hopes
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/387805ba-b210-11df-b2d9-00144feabdc0.html?referrer_id=yahoofinance&ft_ref=yahoo1&segid=03058
Jerry Buhlmann, chief executive, also signalled that Aegis would continue its return to deal-making, after bidding for Mitchells, an Australian media buyer, and forming a joint venture with Charm Communications in China. “As you come out of recession, that is the time to try and capture the growth of the recovery,” he said.
Jerry Buhlmann, chief executive, also signalled that Aegis would continue its return to deal-making, after bidding for Mitchells, an Australian media buyer, and forming a joint venture with Charm Communications in China. “As you come out of recession, that is the time to try and capture the growth of the recovery,” he said.
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