Paid search management company Acquisio has acquired software developer ScienceOps, whose technology optimizes the performance of Google AdWords campaigns. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
ScienceOps' AdMetrica technology helps optimize conversions generated by the Google Display Network, which shows AdWords paid-search ads on nonsearch engine sites based on site content and audience.
Acquisio said in a statement the transaction should be able to boost its offerings to companies that manage search, social and display campaigns.
http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120813/SEARCH04/308139995/acquisio-buys-search-optimization-company-scienceops?utm_source=dailynewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=editorial&utm_campaign=dailyclickthroughs
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Gannett buys social-media ad company Blinq Media
Gannett, parent of USA TODAY, said Tuesday that it has acquired Blinq Media, a
company that creates social-media advertising campaigns for ad agencies and
corporate clients.
And Blinq's "BAM 2.0" technology handles ad planning by
analyzing clients' target audience members' social-media profile, including
their friends, "likes" and "fan pages."
With such analytical data, Blinq and Gannett will be able
to deliver relevant content, says Vikram Sharma, CEO of Gannett Digital
Marketing Services, which will run Blinq as a separate unit under its umbrella.
That may include simply ads that appear on the right side of a Facebook news
feed page or could be content delivered in the form of "sponsored stories,"
which often contain videos or polls.
EPrize Acquired by Private-Equity Firm Catterton Partners
Digital promotion agency ePrize today announced that it has been acquired by Catterton Partners, a consumer-focused private-equity firm. Based in Detroit, ePrize specializes in mobile, social-media and web campaigns, promotions and sweepstakes for clients such as AT&T, Coca Cola, The Gap, and Procter & Gamble. The investment will be used to accelerate the agency's overall growth, and will focus specifically on developing its mobile and social business.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. EPrize ranked as the country's No. 17 promotion agency in 2011, according to Ad Age DataCenter. It reported revenue of $53.8 million in last year, up 28.0% from 2010. At the end of 2011, ePrize had 336 employees in its Detroit, Chicago, Seattle, New York and Los Angeles offices.
EPrize was founded in 1999 by Josh Linkner. The company raised $11 million in two rounds of financing in 1999 and 2001 and received a $32 million investment in 2006. It also made two acquisitions of its own in the last year, picking up a division of Apollo Data Technologies in July 2011, and Cellit, a mobile marketing company, in January 2012.
http://adage.com/article/digital/eprize-acquired-private-equity-firm-catterton-partners/236801/
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. EPrize ranked as the country's No. 17 promotion agency in 2011, according to Ad Age DataCenter. It reported revenue of $53.8 million in last year, up 28.0% from 2010. At the end of 2011, ePrize had 336 employees in its Detroit, Chicago, Seattle, New York and Los Angeles offices.
EPrize was founded in 1999 by Josh Linkner. The company raised $11 million in two rounds of financing in 1999 and 2001 and received a $32 million investment in 2006. It also made two acquisitions of its own in the last year, picking up a division of Apollo Data Technologies in July 2011, and Cellit, a mobile marketing company, in January 2012.
http://adage.com/article/digital/eprize-acquired-private-equity-firm-catterton-partners/236801/
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Google to Buy Social Agency Wildfire Interactive for $250 Million
Google agreed to buy social agency Wildfire Interactive for about $250 million plus performance incentives, the latest in a string of deals as advertising and enterprise giants look to add social to their core offerings.
Founded in 2008 with a seed grant from Facebook's fbFund and Gary Vaynerchuk, Wildfire has raised a little more than $14 million and has counted Virgin, Sony, Ogilvy, Verizon, Unilever and Amazon as clients. Co-founders Victoria Ransom and Alain Chuard will join Google as part of the deal.
http://adage.com/article/digital/google-buy-social-agency-wildfire-interactive-250-million/236415/?utm_source=digital_email&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=adage
Founded in 2008 with a seed grant from Facebook's fbFund and Gary Vaynerchuk, Wildfire has raised a little more than $14 million and has counted Virgin, Sony, Ogilvy, Verizon, Unilever and Amazon as clients. Co-founders Victoria Ransom and Alain Chuard will join Google as part of the deal.
http://adage.com/article/digital/google-buy-social-agency-wildfire-interactive-250-million/236415/?utm_source=digital_email&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=adage
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Cheil acquires McKinney
Cheil Worldwide said Tuesday it would buy North Carolina’s McKinney as part of an ongoing bid to expand its presence in the United States.
McKinney will keep its name, and its leadership team will remain in North Carolina, says Cheil Americas chief executive Buz Sawyer. He said the U.S. agency will continue to have its own business and its own clients.
“It’s really important that all these agencies, whether they have a Cheil name or a non-Cheil name, have a real sense of independence and that they’re steering their own ship,” Sawyer says, referring to the agency’s global network.
In June, Ad Age reported that Cheil was in talks to buy the U.S. agency, noting that it has been just four years since McKinney bought itself back from French holding company Havas.
McKinney joins the regional network of agency partners called Cheil Americas, which is headed up by Sawyer. McKinney will join Cheil USA, Cheil Canada, Cheil Mexico, Cheil Central America and Cheil Brazil.
Read more: http://strategyonline.ca/2012/07/31/cheil-acquires-mckinney/#ixzz22EchNUyb
The deal is estimated at $50 million
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/31/business/media/cheil-worldwide-completes-deal-to-buy-mckinney.html
McKinney brought in $37.4 million in revenue in 2011, down 6.5% from the year prior, according to Ad Age DataCenter.
Havas purchased McKinney -- which has been in business for about 45 years -- in spring 2001 from web consultancy MarchFirst for an estimated $30 million to $35 million. The terms of the buyback in June 2008 were not disclosed, but CEO Brad Brinegar said at the time it was a lengthy negotiation with Havas and he and other senior leaders at the company were eager to gain their independence due to the changing nature of client relationships. He also stated at the time that a move outside the confines of a marketing-services conglomerate would give McKinney a competitive edge, citing Procter & Gamble and other companies that have sought agencies outside of holding companies and hired independents.
http://adage.com/article/agency-news/korean-holding-company-cheil-talks-acquire-mckinney/235704/
McKinney will keep its name, and its leadership team will remain in North Carolina, says Cheil Americas chief executive Buz Sawyer. He said the U.S. agency will continue to have its own business and its own clients.
“It’s really important that all these agencies, whether they have a Cheil name or a non-Cheil name, have a real sense of independence and that they’re steering their own ship,” Sawyer says, referring to the agency’s global network.
In June, Ad Age reported that Cheil was in talks to buy the U.S. agency, noting that it has been just four years since McKinney bought itself back from French holding company Havas.
McKinney joins the regional network of agency partners called Cheil Americas, which is headed up by Sawyer. McKinney will join Cheil USA, Cheil Canada, Cheil Mexico, Cheil Central America and Cheil Brazil.
Read more: http://strategyonline.ca/2012/07/31/cheil-acquires-mckinney/#ixzz22EchNUyb
The deal is estimated at $50 million
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/31/business/media/cheil-worldwide-completes-deal-to-buy-mckinney.html
McKinney brought in $37.4 million in revenue in 2011, down 6.5% from the year prior, according to Ad Age DataCenter.
Havas purchased McKinney -- which has been in business for about 45 years -- in spring 2001 from web consultancy MarchFirst for an estimated $30 million to $35 million. The terms of the buyback in June 2008 were not disclosed, but CEO Brad Brinegar said at the time it was a lengthy negotiation with Havas and he and other senior leaders at the company were eager to gain their independence due to the changing nature of client relationships. He also stated at the time that a move outside the confines of a marketing-services conglomerate would give McKinney a competitive edge, citing Procter & Gamble and other companies that have sought agencies outside of holding companies and hired independents.
http://adage.com/article/agency-news/korean-holding-company-cheil-talks-acquire-mckinney/235704/
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Oracle continues to add social media muscle with Involver deal
Oracle Corp said Tuesday it had acquired social marketing firm Involver,
notching the third deal in as many months in a red-hot area for enterprise
software makers.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
San Francisco-based Involver, founded in 2007, provides tools for developers to create advertising campaigns on social media networks such as Facebook.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/10/us-oracle-involver-idUSBRE8691JY20120710
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
San Francisco-based Involver, founded in 2007, provides tools for developers to create advertising campaigns on social media networks such as Facebook.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/10/us-oracle-involver-idUSBRE8691JY20120710
TiVo to Buy Company That Tracks Shopping of TV Viewers
The television analytics company TiVo is expected to announce on Tuesday that it has acquired full ownership in TRA, a research company that has found success in recent years with a system that matches up television viewing with consumer buying habits.
That metric makes it possible for advertisers to tell which networks are most effective at selling beer or cookies, and even which specific television shows are best at selling specific cars. TRA acquires this data by collecting information from 1.5 million set-top cable boxes and matching the viewers (anonymously) with information gleaned from “loyalty cards” presented at supermarkets, as well as with other measurements, like car-registration information.
That metric makes it possible for advertisers to tell which networks are most effective at selling beer or cookies, and even which specific television shows are best at selling specific cars. TRA acquires this data by collecting information from 1.5 million set-top cable boxes and matching the viewers (anonymously) with information gleaned from “loyalty cards” presented at supermarkets, as well as with other measurements, like car-registration information.
TRA has signed numerous clients in its five years of existence, including 27 cable and broadcast networks and 45 different advertising brands. Some, including Mars candy bars and Kraft’s Oscar Mayer brand, have offered testimonials to the effectiveness of the information gathered by TRA.
Digital agency 58Ninety acquires Due North
In an unusual acquisition move, digital agency 58Ninety has acquired traditional agency Due North. The two Toronto-based independent shops, which had previously worked together on a campaign for Workopolis, will form a new agency called One.
“I was looking for a way to offer a larger critical mass for the future of the agency,” said Mark Weisbarth, CEO and founder of Due North, in a release.
58Ninety was also looking to expand its service offerings, and according to a report in the Globe and Mail, discussions began a year ago when Weisbarth started preparing for retirement. The two companies have worked together for five years on the Workopolis account, says Ted Boyd, CEO, One.
Boyd, formerly CEO of 58Ninety, will stay in the role at One., while Weisbarth will remain on board through the transition. Jill King and Karen Howe will remain on as president and SVP/CD of One., respectively.
The new agency’s client roster will include Maple Leaf Foods, Workopolis, Second Cup, the LCBO and the Globe and Mail.
http://strategyonline.ca/2012/07/16/digital-agency-58ninety-acquires-due-north/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=digital-agency-58ninety-acquires-due-north
“I was looking for a way to offer a larger critical mass for the future of the agency,” said Mark Weisbarth, CEO and founder of Due North, in a release.
58Ninety was also looking to expand its service offerings, and according to a report in the Globe and Mail, discussions began a year ago when Weisbarth started preparing for retirement. The two companies have worked together for five years on the Workopolis account, says Ted Boyd, CEO, One.
Boyd, formerly CEO of 58Ninety, will stay in the role at One., while Weisbarth will remain on board through the transition. Jill King and Karen Howe will remain on as president and SVP/CD of One., respectively.
The new agency’s client roster will include Maple Leaf Foods, Workopolis, Second Cup, the LCBO and the Globe and Mail.
http://strategyonline.ca/2012/07/16/digital-agency-58ninety-acquires-due-north/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=digital-agency-58ninety-acquires-due-north
Monday, July 16, 2012
Dentsu acquires Bos
Dentsu Canada has acquired Bos, to form DentsuBos, helping to bolster its Quebec reach, says Bob Shropshire, formerly president and CEO of Dentsu now chairman of the new agency.
“The reason we set out a couple of years ago to find a partner in Quebec, [was because] we wanted to be fully capable on a national basis,” he says.
http://strategyonline.ca/2012/06/01/dentsu-acquires-bos/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dentsu-acquires-bos
“The reason we set out a couple of years ago to find a partner in Quebec, [was because] we wanted to be fully capable on a national basis,” he says.
http://strategyonline.ca/2012/06/01/dentsu-acquires-bos/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dentsu-acquires-bos
Thursday, July 12, 2012
CRM Agency Merkle Acquires Mobile Shop 5th Finger
The customer-relationship management agency Merkle has acquired San Francisco-based mobile shop 5th Finger.
Including Merkle's existing mobile practice, which has 10 employees, the deal brings Merkle's total annual revenue from mobile above $10 million, according to Merkle VP-Chief Marketing Officer Craig Dempster.
Under the terms of the agreement, 5th Finger CEO Patrick Collins will also remain at the company. The shop will also get to retain its name within Merkle. The mobile shop counts retailers such as Safeway and JoS. A. Bank as clients, as well as GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer clients.
http://adage.com/article/agency-news/crm-agency-merkle-acquires-mobile-shop-5th-finger/235945/
Dentsu of Japan to Buy Aegis of Britain for About $5 Billion
Dentsu, a Japanese advertising powerhouse that has struggled to expand internationally, made a big leap into Western markets on Thursday, saying it had agreed to buy Aegis, an agency company based in London.
The planned acquisition, valued at £3.167 billion ($4.92 billion), is one of the largest ever in the advertising business, rivaling the purchase of Young & Rubicam by the WPP 12 years ago and a deal for the parent company of Leo Burnett by Publicis Groupe in 2002.
The deal would combine Dentsu, the fifth-largest advertising company in the world, with the seventh largest. Aegis specializes in media buying, a steady source of earnings, and fast-growing digital marketing, leaving slower-growing businesses like the creation of television advertising to other agencies.
International expansion is critical, because the Japanese ad market has been shrinking in recent years. Dentsu this year acquired a boutique agency in New York, ML Rogers, and Bos, with offices in Toronto and Montreal. The deal for Aegis accelerates that the international push, which has been led by a former professional basketball player, Tim Andree.
While Aegis has been considered an attractive takeover target, analysts said a flurry of recent acquisitions by companies like WPP and Publicis made it less likely that counterbids to Dentsu’s offer might emerge.
http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/07/12/dentsu-of-japan-to-buy-aegis-of-britain-for-5-1-billion/?nl=business&emc=edit_dlbkam_20120712
The planned acquisition, valued at £3.167 billion ($4.92 billion), is one of the largest ever in the advertising business, rivaling the purchase of Young & Rubicam by the WPP 12 years ago and a deal for the parent company of Leo Burnett by Publicis Groupe in 2002.
The deal would combine Dentsu, the fifth-largest advertising company in the world, with the seventh largest. Aegis specializes in media buying, a steady source of earnings, and fast-growing digital marketing, leaving slower-growing businesses like the creation of television advertising to other agencies.
International expansion is critical, because the Japanese ad market has been shrinking in recent years. Dentsu this year acquired a boutique agency in New York, ML Rogers, and Bos, with offices in Toronto and Montreal. The deal for Aegis accelerates that the international push, which has been led by a former professional basketball player, Tim Andree.
While Aegis has been considered an attractive takeover target, analysts said a flurry of recent acquisitions by companies like WPP and Publicis made it less likely that counterbids to Dentsu’s offer might emerge.
http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/07/12/dentsu-of-japan-to-buy-aegis-of-britain-for-5-1-billion/?nl=business&emc=edit_dlbkam_20120712
Friday, June 29, 2012
Project Worldwide Acquires New York Social-Media Agency
Holding company Project WorldWide has acquired New York social-media agency Affinitive. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The employee-owned holding company has been steadily bulking up through acquisitions. Affinitive will add $5 million to $10 million in annual revenue to Project, said Chairman-CEO Robert Vallee.
Project had $261 million in worldwide revenue in 2011 with 37% originating outside the U.S., according to Ad Age DataCenter,Affinitive, which was founded in 2002 and counts Random House, E.&J. Gallo Winery and Ubisoft among its biggest clients, started as word-of-mouth agency and creates and manages online brand communities, loyalty programs and social and mobile apps. Affinitive is a Facebook preferred marketing developer.
The plan is to continue its acquisition streak, said Mr. Vallee, adding that agencies in South America and Indonesia as well as those specializing in mobile and public relations are of particular interest.
http://adage.com/article/agency-news/project-worldwide-acquires-york-social-media-agency/235190/
The employee-owned holding company has been steadily bulking up through acquisitions. Affinitive will add $5 million to $10 million in annual revenue to Project, said Chairman-CEO Robert Vallee.
Project had $261 million in worldwide revenue in 2011 with 37% originating outside the U.S., according to Ad Age DataCenter,Affinitive, which was founded in 2002 and counts Random House, E.&J. Gallo Winery and Ubisoft among its biggest clients, started as word-of-mouth agency and creates and manages online brand communities, loyalty programs and social and mobile apps. Affinitive is a Facebook preferred marketing developer.
The plan is to continue its acquisition streak, said Mr. Vallee, adding that agencies in South America and Indonesia as well as those specializing in mobile and public relations are of particular interest.
http://adage.com/article/agency-news/project-worldwide-acquires-york-social-media-agency/235190/
Creative Digital-Ad Agency in New York Is Being Acquired
Pod1, an advertising agency in New York that specializes in creative digital services, with a focus on clients in e-commerce, is being acquired.
The acquisition, to be announced Monday afternoon, is for undisclosed financial terms by a company named Group FMG, which is based in London and opened an office in New York late last year.
Group FMG specializes in production services, with a “low-cost, high turnaround” model that plays up its ability to outsource work to offices in countries like India.
The company, which produces video, print, digital and mobile ads, has been “bolting on a few other services,” said David Bonthrone, executive vice president at Group FMG, expanding into areas like creative services and, now, e-commerce.
Pod1 and its 29 employees are being absorbed into the Group FMG office in New York, Mr. Bonthrone said, which has about 15 employees. Fadi Shuman, chief executive of Pod1, will oversee the e-commerce aspects of Group FMG, Mr. Bonthrone said.
http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/04/creative-digital-ad-agency-in-new-york-is-being-acquired/
The acquisition, to be announced Monday afternoon, is for undisclosed financial terms by a company named Group FMG, which is based in London and opened an office in New York late last year.
Group FMG specializes in production services, with a “low-cost, high turnaround” model that plays up its ability to outsource work to offices in countries like India.
The company, which produces video, print, digital and mobile ads, has been “bolting on a few other services,” said David Bonthrone, executive vice president at Group FMG, expanding into areas like creative services and, now, e-commerce.
Pod1 and its 29 employees are being absorbed into the Group FMG office in New York, Mr. Bonthrone said, which has about 15 employees. Fadi Shuman, chief executive of Pod1, will oversee the e-commerce aspects of Group FMG, Mr. Bonthrone said.
http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/04/creative-digital-ad-agency-in-new-york-is-being-acquired/
Monday, June 25, 2012
Oracle Buys Collective Intellect to Bolster Social Media Analysis
Oracle said it had acquired Collective Intellect, a social media analysis firm, just a day after Salesforce.com agreed to buy Buddy Media for $689 million.
In a presentation, Oracle said Collective Intellect had helped CNBC predict that a major discount retailer would not meet sales projections, based on scanning customers’ online messages.
“Gaining intelligence from consumer conversations across social media, and knowing customers’ intentions and interests, helps organizations create better products and deliver better service,” Thomas Kurian, an executive vice president for development at Oracle, said in a statement. “Collective Intellect’s leading cloud-based applications for social media monitoring, combined with Oracle’s social relationship platform, offers a complete social experience to our customers.”
http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/06/05/oracle-buys-collective-intellect-to-bolster-social-media-analysis/?nl=business&emc=edit_dlbkam_20120606
In a presentation, Oracle said Collective Intellect had helped CNBC predict that a major discount retailer would not meet sales projections, based on scanning customers’ online messages.
“Gaining intelligence from consumer conversations across social media, and knowing customers’ intentions and interests, helps organizations create better products and deliver better service,” Thomas Kurian, an executive vice president for development at Oracle, said in a statement. “Collective Intellect’s leading cloud-based applications for social media monitoring, combined with Oracle’s social relationship platform, offers a complete social experience to our customers.”
http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/06/05/oracle-buys-collective-intellect-to-bolster-social-media-analysis/?nl=business&emc=edit_dlbkam_20120606
Salesforce.com to Buy Buddy Media for $689 Million
Salesforce.com, looking to enhance its social media offerings, has agreed to buy Buddy Media for $689 million.
With the acquisition, Salesforce.com will gain access to a blue-chip roster of social media clients, including Ford, Hewlett-Packard, L’Oreal and other major advertisers that work with Buddy Media on social media advertising. Buddy Media, started in 2007, works with customers to build campaigns on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, providing a platform for advertisers to publish content and monitor their social media efforts.
Salesforce has been active in the rapidly expanding space. Last year, the company purchased Radian6, which helps businesses measure their effectiveness on sites like Facebook and Twitter.
The company is not alone in its quest to snatch up companies like Buddy Media. In May, Oracle reportedly paid $300 million for Vitrue, a social media marketing company. In January, Adobe acquired Efficient Frontier, a digital and social media advertising company.
http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/06/04/salesforce-com-to-buy-buddy-media-for-689-million/?nl=business&emc=edit_dlbkpm_20120604
With the acquisition, Salesforce.com will gain access to a blue-chip roster of social media clients, including Ford, Hewlett-Packard, L’Oreal and other major advertisers that work with Buddy Media on social media advertising. Buddy Media, started in 2007, works with customers to build campaigns on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, providing a platform for advertisers to publish content and monitor their social media efforts.
Salesforce has been active in the rapidly expanding space. Last year, the company purchased Radian6, which helps businesses measure their effectiveness on sites like Facebook and Twitter.
The company is not alone in its quest to snatch up companies like Buddy Media. In May, Oracle reportedly paid $300 million for Vitrue, a social media marketing company. In January, Adobe acquired Efficient Frontier, a digital and social media advertising company.
http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/06/04/salesforce-com-to-buy-buddy-media-for-689-million/?nl=business&emc=edit_dlbkpm_20120604
inVentiv Health Announces Acquisition of Kazaam Interactive
http://www.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/2012/06/05/NY19516
inVentiv Health, Inc., offering best-in-class clinical, commercial and consulting services to the healthcare industry, today announced that it has acquired Kazaam Interactive, a full-service interactive agency providing comprehensive solutions and services for healthcare agencies and brands.
The acquisition of Kazaam Interactive will be fully funded with equity from funds affiliated with Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. ("THL") and other existing stockholders. THL, along with Liberty Lane IH LLC and other co-investors, acquired inVentiv in August 2010.
inVentiv Health, Inc., offering best-in-class clinical, commercial and consulting services to the healthcare industry, today announced that it has acquired Kazaam Interactive, a full-service interactive agency providing comprehensive solutions and services for healthcare agencies and brands.
The acquisition of Kazaam Interactive will be fully funded with equity from funds affiliated with Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. ("THL") and other existing stockholders. THL, along with Liberty Lane IH LLC and other co-investors, acquired inVentiv in August 2010.
After AKQA Sale, Indie LBi Seeks Buyers
http://adage.com/article/agency-news/akqa-sale-indie-lbi-seeks-buyers/235587/
In the wake of WPP's snapping up AKQA for $540 million, Ad Age has learned that Amsterdam-based LBi is reaching out to potential buyers, according to two executives familiar with the process.
LBi has less brand cachet than AKQA but is actually bigger, with nearly twice as many employees. Its revenue was just under $250 million in 2011 with $22 million in net profit, according to its annual report. (AKQA has 1,160 people and $189 million in 2011 revenue, according to WPP.)
The top 10 digital networks by revenue are all owned by major publicly traded marketing-services companies and there are only a few top-50 agencies ranked by U.S. revenue that are not holding-company-backed. Those include: MediaWhiz, owned by private-equity-backed Hyper Marketing; Acquity Group; Resource Interactive; Gyro; and MePlusYou (formerly known as IMC2).
In the wake of WPP's snapping up AKQA for $540 million, Ad Age has learned that Amsterdam-based LBi is reaching out to potential buyers, according to two executives familiar with the process.
LBi has less brand cachet than AKQA but is actually bigger, with nearly twice as many employees. Its revenue was just under $250 million in 2011 with $22 million in net profit, according to its annual report. (AKQA has 1,160 people and $189 million in 2011 revenue, according to WPP.)
The top 10 digital networks by revenue are all owned by major publicly traded marketing-services companies and there are only a few top-50 agencies ranked by U.S. revenue that are not holding-company-backed. Those include: MediaWhiz, owned by private-equity-backed Hyper Marketing; Acquity Group; Resource Interactive; Gyro; and MePlusYou (formerly known as IMC2).
Monday, May 28, 2012
ExactTarget goes public
Email marketing company ExactTarget went public Thursday, raising $161 million. Investor confidence bid up the $19 initial share price by 32%, with shares closing at $25.11 by the end of trading.
CEO Scott Dorsey founded ExactTarget in 2000 with an initial investment of $200,000. The company planned to go public in 2009, but put it off due to the slumping economy.
According to ExactTarget's stock prospectus, the company lost $35 million last year on sales of $207 million. ExactTarget plans to use the infusion of cash to expand sales and marketing as well as its overseas operations.
http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120323/STRATEGY09/303239994/exacttarget-goes-public-enjoys-popular-first-day?utm_source=dailynewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=editorial&utm_campaign=dailyclickthroughs
CEO Scott Dorsey founded ExactTarget in 2000 with an initial investment of $200,000. The company planned to go public in 2009, but put it off due to the slumping economy.
According to ExactTarget's stock prospectus, the company lost $35 million last year on sales of $207 million. ExactTarget plans to use the infusion of cash to expand sales and marketing as well as its overseas operations.
http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120323/STRATEGY09/303239994/exacttarget-goes-public-enjoys-popular-first-day?utm_source=dailynewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=editorial&utm_campaign=dailyclickthroughs
Oracle buys social marketing company Vitrue
Database management technology company Oracle Corp. has acquired Vitrue Inc., whose technology enables the publishing and management of content pushed to a variety of social sites.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but TechCrunch is reporting that the price was $300 million. Oracle said the addition of Atlanta-based Vitrue technology will complement its own sales and social data management solutions.
http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120523/STRATEGY10/305239996/oracle-buys-social-marketing-company-vitrue?utm_source=dailynewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=editorial&utm_campaign=dailyclickthroughs#seenit
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but TechCrunch is reporting that the price was $300 million. Oracle said the addition of Atlanta-based Vitrue technology will complement its own sales and social data management solutions.
http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120523/STRATEGY10/305239996/oracle-buys-social-marketing-company-vitrue?utm_source=dailynewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=editorial&utm_campaign=dailyclickthroughs#seenit
MDC acquires TargetCast TCM
MDC is to formally announce on Tuesday that it is acquiring a majority stake in TargetCast TCM, a New York media agency that has 110 employees who work on accounts with more than $600 million in billings from clients that include AMC, Expedia, Hotels.com, New York Life and Pfizer Consumer Healthcare.
The MDC media agencies that will come under the Maxxcom umbrella, in addition to TargetCast TCM and RJ Palmer, are Integrated Media Solutions, Media Kitchen and Varick Media Management. The billings handled by the media agencies that will be part of Maxxcom are estimated at $1.5 billion.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/20/business/media/mdc-to-buy-targetcast-tcm.html
The MDC media agencies that will come under the Maxxcom umbrella, in addition to TargetCast TCM and RJ Palmer, are Integrated Media Solutions, Media Kitchen and Varick Media Management. The billings handled by the media agencies that will be part of Maxxcom are estimated at $1.5 billion.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/20/business/media/mdc-to-buy-targetcast-tcm.html
WPP Offers $12.5 Million for Big Spaceship
WPP wants to purchase digital shop Big Spaceship, making an offer of $12.5 million in recent weeks, according to a source close to the situation.
Brooklyn, NY-based Big Spaceship has been in talks with WPP since October, according to the source. The deal is in due diligence stage, the source said.
Big Spaceship's clients include Adobe, HBO, Skittles, Victoria's Secret, Land's End, and various other notable brands. The agency's disciplines include brand strategy, web, mobile, social, games, and content.
WPP declined to comment, and Big Spaceship didn't reply by press time.
http://www.clickz.com/clickz/news/2161562/wpp-offers-usd125-million-spaceship
Brooklyn, NY-based Big Spaceship has been in talks with WPP since October, according to the source. The deal is in due diligence stage, the source said.
Big Spaceship's clients include Adobe, HBO, Skittles, Victoria's Secret, Land's End, and various other notable brands. The agency's disciplines include brand strategy, web, mobile, social, games, and content.
WPP declined to comment, and Big Spaceship didn't reply by press time.
http://www.clickz.com/clickz/news/2161562/wpp-offers-usd125-million-spaceship
Monday, April 9, 2012
HootSuite Gets $20M from Canadian Pension Fund
http://adage.com/article/digital/hootsuite-20m-investment-canadian-pension-fund/233780/?utm_source=digital_email&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=adage
Social-media-management platform HootSuite has secured $20 million in secondary funding from OMERS Ventures, allowing a group of employees and early investors to cash out early.
Founded in 2008, Vancouver-based HootSuite has 140 employees, and 3 million users across desktop and mobile. It offers a free service to consumers and an enterprise offering to brands, including PepsiCo, the NBA, FOX and Time, that lets them publish and manage social-media content. Though it also lets users manage their Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+ content, it's best known for its Twitter client.
HootSuite wasn't swimming in cash. It raised $1.9 million in 2009 from investors that included Blumberg Capital, and it took on $3 million in debt last year. A person familiar with the recent deal told Reuters that OMERS Ventures' investment values the company at $200 million.
Social-media-management platform HootSuite has secured $20 million in secondary funding from OMERS Ventures, allowing a group of employees and early investors to cash out early.
Founded in 2008, Vancouver-based HootSuite has 140 employees, and 3 million users across desktop and mobile. It offers a free service to consumers and an enterprise offering to brands, including PepsiCo, the NBA, FOX and Time, that lets them publish and manage social-media content. Though it also lets users manage their Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+ content, it's best known for its Twitter client.
HootSuite wasn't swimming in cash. It raised $1.9 million in 2009 from investors that included Blumberg Capital, and it took on $3 million in debt last year. A person familiar with the recent deal told Reuters that OMERS Ventures' investment values the company at $200 million.
Havas Buys Majority Stake in Crowdsourcing Ad Agency
http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/03/havas-buys-majority-stake-in-crowdsourcing-ad-agency/?scp=2&sq=viktors%20&%20spoils&st=Search
Havas, the French holding company that owns agencies like Euro RSCG Worldwide and Arnold Worldwide, is buying a majority stake in Victors & Spoils, an agency that specializes in crowdsourcing – that is, open innovation, online, to come up with ad concepts in collaborative fashion, rather than using traditional models like teaming up a copywriter and an art director at an advertising agency.
Havas is acquiring a majority stake in Victors & Spoils from the Tango Group, a private investment company, said John Winsor, chief executive of Victors & Spoils. He and the two other founders of Victors & Spoils, Claudia Batten and Evan Fry, continue to own a minority stake in the agency, he said.
Havas, the French holding company that owns agencies like Euro RSCG Worldwide and Arnold Worldwide, is buying a majority stake in Victors & Spoils, an agency that specializes in crowdsourcing – that is, open innovation, online, to come up with ad concepts in collaborative fashion, rather than using traditional models like teaming up a copywriter and an art director at an advertising agency.
Havas is acquiring a majority stake in Victors & Spoils from the Tango Group, a private investment company, said John Winsor, chief executive of Victors & Spoils. He and the two other founders of Victors & Spoils, Claudia Batten and Evan Fry, continue to own a minority stake in the agency, he said.
After Time of Tumult, Doner Sells a Stake to MDC
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/04/business/media/doner-after-tumultuous-times-sells-a-stake-to-mdc.html?_r=2&src=busln&nl=business&emc=edit_dlbkam_20120404
DONER, one of the largest independent advertising agencies, is ending its go-it-alone status after 75 years by selling a minority interest to an agency holding group, MDC Partners, that will have the option to take that ownership stake to a majority.
Doner, based in the Detroit suburb of Southfield, Mich., has an estimated $1 billion in billings and is considered the third largest independent agency by that measure, behind the Richards Group and Wieden & Kennedy. There are 600 Doner employees in Southfield and offices in Cleveland, London and Newport Beach, Calif., who work on the accounts of clients like AutoTrader.com, Avery Dennison, the Chrysler Group, Coca-Cola, Coleman, Serta, Sherwin-Williams and the UPS Store.
The decision of the Doner principals to cast their lot with a holding company comes after several trying, tumultuous years that included the loss of the agency’s largest account, Mazda North America, for which Doner created the well-known “Zoom-zoom” campaign; lawsuits filed by former executives; questions about the handling of the agency’s employee pension fund; and turnover among senior managers who included the chief executive, chief financial officer, chief marketing officer and the president of the Newport Beach office.
DONER, one of the largest independent advertising agencies, is ending its go-it-alone status after 75 years by selling a minority interest to an agency holding group, MDC Partners, that will have the option to take that ownership stake to a majority.
Doner, based in the Detroit suburb of Southfield, Mich., has an estimated $1 billion in billings and is considered the third largest independent agency by that measure, behind the Richards Group and Wieden & Kennedy. There are 600 Doner employees in Southfield and offices in Cleveland, London and Newport Beach, Calif., who work on the accounts of clients like AutoTrader.com, Avery Dennison, the Chrysler Group, Coca-Cola, Coleman, Serta, Sherwin-Williams and the UPS Store.
The decision of the Doner principals to cast their lot with a holding company comes after several trying, tumultuous years that included the loss of the agency’s largest account, Mazda North America, for which Doner created the well-known “Zoom-zoom” campaign; lawsuits filed by former executives; questions about the handling of the agency’s employee pension fund; and turnover among senior managers who included the chief executive, chief financial officer, chief marketing officer and the president of the Newport Beach office.
Friday, March 9, 2012
MDC Partners Buys Social-Commerce Firm Dotbox
MDC Partners has acquired a majority interest in Dotbox, a New York-based social-commerce firm with a portfolio of retail and luxury clients that includes 1-800-Flowers, Vince Camuto, Bebe, Harry Winston and Jessica Simpson.
Asked about the company's acquisitions plans going forward, Mr. Nadal said, "I think we will be very strategic and probably not do as many acquisitions as we were, and certainly not as much as we did in 2010. If we do things, you'll see some activity on the international front come through ... and you'll probably see us expand our media [offerings]. We'll be more discriminating as to what we do and how we do it."
Mr. Nadal said that he considers the company "more in a steady state of M&A activity" now and that no more than three or four transactions a year is probably a good pace for MDC from here on out.
http://adage.com/article/agency-news/mdc-partners-buys-social-commerce-firm-dotbox/233116/
Asked about the company's acquisitions plans going forward, Mr. Nadal said, "I think we will be very strategic and probably not do as many acquisitions as we were, and certainly not as much as we did in 2010. If we do things, you'll see some activity on the international front come through ... and you'll probably see us expand our media [offerings]. We'll be more discriminating as to what we do and how we do it."
Mr. Nadal said that he considers the company "more in a steady state of M&A activity" now and that no more than three or four transactions a year is probably a good pace for MDC from here on out.
http://adage.com/article/agency-news/mdc-partners-buys-social-commerce-firm-dotbox/233116/
Monday, March 5, 2012
Bensimon Byrne acquires OneMethod
Bensimon Byrne has added a mad scientist aspect to its capabilities with the acquisition of Toronto digital design agency OneMethod.
Established in March 2001, OneMethod has cultivated a reputation for producing “original and unexpected” work for clients including Nokia, Intuit, Sony and Quiznos. While the 25-person agency produces standard digital work such as websites and mobile apps, it also boasts an in-house “incubator” that develops non-traditional marketing – or experimental – solutions.
While founder and chief creative officer Amin Todai said about 70% of OneMethod’s business comes from outside Canada, the agency received considerable media attention last year for a Toronto-based venture called La Carnita – a pop-up restaurant and “social media experiment” combining tacos and art that will open a bricks and mortar location in the next couple of months.
Bensimon Byrne president Jack Bensimon told Marketing that the OneMethod acquisition dovetails with the continuing evolution of marketing from a traditionally mass media-based discipline to one in which digital often plays a lead role.
Bensimon said the next step for his agency is to continue to apply existing best practices in digital, while simultaneously developing some best practices of its own. Bensimon Byrne will continue to deliver on what’s now, he said, while OneMethod will focus on what’s next.
Bensimon said the deal allows existing Bensimon Byrne clients to indulge in marketing experimentation with an agency that understands their core business and strategic objectives.
OneMethod will remain in its current Toronto office, but will collaborate with Bensimon Byrne whenever it benefits clients, said Bensimon. Bensimon Bryne’s breadth of experience and offering will also make OneMethod attractive to prospective clients, said Todai.
Established in March 2001, OneMethod has cultivated a reputation for producing “original and unexpected” work for clients including Nokia, Intuit, Sony and Quiznos. While the 25-person agency produces standard digital work such as websites and mobile apps, it also boasts an in-house “incubator” that develops non-traditional marketing – or experimental – solutions.
While founder and chief creative officer Amin Todai said about 70% of OneMethod’s business comes from outside Canada, the agency received considerable media attention last year for a Toronto-based venture called La Carnita – a pop-up restaurant and “social media experiment” combining tacos and art that will open a bricks and mortar location in the next couple of months.
Bensimon Byrne president Jack Bensimon told Marketing that the OneMethod acquisition dovetails with the continuing evolution of marketing from a traditionally mass media-based discipline to one in which digital often plays a lead role.
Bensimon said the next step for his agency is to continue to apply existing best practices in digital, while simultaneously developing some best practices of its own. Bensimon Byrne will continue to deliver on what’s now, he said, while OneMethod will focus on what’s next.
Bensimon said the deal allows existing Bensimon Byrne clients to indulge in marketing experimentation with an agency that understands their core business and strategic objectives.
OneMethod will remain in its current Toronto office, but will collaborate with Bensimon Byrne whenever it benefits clients, said Bensimon. Bensimon Bryne’s breadth of experience and offering will also make OneMethod attractive to prospective clients, said Todai.
http://www.marketingmag.ca/news/agency-news/bensimon-byrne-acquires-onemethod-47202?p=47202?utm_source=EmailMarketing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=marketing_daily_PM
Henry Silverman, Bob Pittman Back Ad Agency Droga5.
Financier Henry Silverman and media executive Bob Pittman have invested several million dollars in ad agency Droga5, which the firm will use to finance expansion.
Droga5 is a privately held New York agency that is highly regarded on Madison Avenue. The firm, whose clients include Microsoft Corp., Coca-Cola Co. and Kraft Foods Inc., last year won several top prizes at the Cannes International Advertising festival, including for a multi-platform campaign promoting Jay-Z’s memoir “Decoded.”
While Droga5 declined to disclose the terms of the deal, a person familiar with the matter says the agency has raised roughly $6 million to $7 million.
Mr. Pittman is a veteran of MTV and AOL. Most recently he became chief executive of radio giant CC Media Holdings. Mr. Silverman, who is best known for his role in building Cendant Corp., is currently vice chairman of Apollo Global Management LLC, the private equity firm.
Mr. Silverman, who is joining Droga5’s advisory board, said he met Mr. Droga and was impressed by his socially conscious work.
http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2012/02/17/henry-silverman-bob-pittman-back-ad-agency-droga5/?mod=dist_smartbrief
Droga5 is a privately held New York agency that is highly regarded on Madison Avenue. The firm, whose clients include Microsoft Corp., Coca-Cola Co. and Kraft Foods Inc., last year won several top prizes at the Cannes International Advertising festival, including for a multi-platform campaign promoting Jay-Z’s memoir “Decoded.”
While Droga5 declined to disclose the terms of the deal, a person familiar with the matter says the agency has raised roughly $6 million to $7 million.
Mr. Pittman is a veteran of MTV and AOL. Most recently he became chief executive of radio giant CC Media Holdings. Mr. Silverman, who is best known for his role in building Cendant Corp., is currently vice chairman of Apollo Global Management LLC, the private equity firm.
Mr. Silverman, who is joining Droga5’s advisory board, said he met Mr. Droga and was impressed by his socially conscious work.
http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2012/02/17/henry-silverman-bob-pittman-back-ad-agency-droga5/?mod=dist_smartbrief
Archway Acquires Synq Solutions
Archway, a leader in marketing logistics and fulfillment services, announced today that it has acquired Synq Solutions, Inc. (Synq). Synq is a privately held provider of marketing fulfillment and print management services with operating facilities in the Atlanta and Las Vegas metropolitan areas. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Synq’s “Intelligent Profiling” solutions have propelled their growth as leading marketers continue to look for ways to become more efficient and reduce waste in their marketing supply chains. Synq’s impressive client roster includes category-leading marketers such as AT&T, Hardee’s, Carl’s Jr. and Burger King.
The combined organization operates 4 million square feet of warehouse and production facilities in 14 metropolitan areas across the U.S. and Canada, and employs over 1,800 associates serving leading brands in the technology/communications, food and beverage, retail, consumer products, quick service restaurant/fast casual dining, life sciences, prepaid card, automotive, financial services, and publishing industries.
http://archway.com/learning-center/news/articletype/articleview/articleid/140/archway-acquires-synq-solutions.aspx
Synq’s “Intelligent Profiling” solutions have propelled their growth as leading marketers continue to look for ways to become more efficient and reduce waste in their marketing supply chains. Synq’s impressive client roster includes category-leading marketers such as AT&T, Hardee’s, Carl’s Jr. and Burger King.
The combined organization operates 4 million square feet of warehouse and production facilities in 14 metropolitan areas across the U.S. and Canada, and employs over 1,800 associates serving leading brands in the technology/communications, food and beverage, retail, consumer products, quick service restaurant/fast casual dining, life sciences, prepaid card, automotive, financial services, and publishing industries.
http://archway.com/learning-center/news/articletype/articleview/articleid/140/archway-acquires-synq-solutions.aspx
Infogroup buys data management company GoTime
Database marketing company Infogroup Inc. has acquired GoTime Inc., a data acquisition and management company. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
GoTime, based in Seattle, offers solutions that combine database information-gathering with social media. It is best known for offering real-time “happy hour” information on local bars and restaurants; but, according to Infogroup, its technology can be used to gain insight into local content and real-time data management.
Infogroup said it plans to integrate its business data, including local content, with GoTime technology.
http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120302/DIRECT06/303029999/infogroup-buys-data-management-company-gotime?utm_source=dailynewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=editorial&utm_campaign=dailyclickthroughs
GoTime, based in Seattle, offers solutions that combine database information-gathering with social media. It is best known for offering real-time “happy hour” information on local bars and restaurants; but, according to Infogroup, its technology can be used to gain insight into local content and real-time data management.
Infogroup said it plans to integrate its business data, including local content, with GoTime technology.
http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120302/DIRECT06/303029999/infogroup-buys-data-management-company-gotime?utm_source=dailynewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=editorial&utm_campaign=dailyclickthroughs
Facebook Ads Firm Brighter Option Acquired By Buddy Media
Social marketing platform operator Buddy Media has acquired Brighter Option, a Facebook advertising platform. Brighter Option‘s technology lets agencies, including GroupM, Omnicom and Aegus, buy ads through the Facebook Ads API. The company is one of more than 20 which Buddy says it assessed over the last six months in its bid to buy in to this space.
Brighter Option claimed 291 advertisers in the last quarter, reaching 92.5 billion page impressions. In the same quarter, Facebook sold $943 million in advertising, according to its recent IPO filing - 44 percent more than a year earlier. But the space is nascent and even Facebook concedes many of its current customers are still only experimenting with formats.
http://paidcontent.org/article/419-facebook-ads-firm-brighter-option-acquired-by-buddy-media/
Brighter Option claimed 291 advertisers in the last quarter, reaching 92.5 billion page impressions. In the same quarter, Facebook sold $943 million in advertising, according to its recent IPO filing - 44 percent more than a year earlier. But the space is nascent and even Facebook concedes many of its current customers are still only experimenting with formats.
http://paidcontent.org/article/419-facebook-ads-firm-brighter-option-acquired-by-buddy-media/
Aegis Buying U.S. Digital Agency Roundarch for $125 Million
http://adage.com/article/digital/aegis-buying-u-s-digital-agency-roundarch-125-million/232863/
The deal is U.K.-based Aegis's latest attempt to acquire scale in digital advertising in the U.S. In 2010, Roundarch brought in $51 million in U.S. revenue from digital, while Aegis' existing digital agency Isobar made just $25 million, according to Ad Age DataCenter. If regulators approve the deal, the two agencies will combine to form RoundarchIsobar. Aegis expects the transaction to close in the next 30 days.
Roundarch, which employs 250 people in Chicago, Denver, Boston and New York, builds websites and apps for clients such as Avis, HBO, Motorola and the U.S. Air Force.
Roundarch had pretax profit of $11.5 million in 2010, with assets of $14 million, according to a public statement from Aegis.
Roundarch had revenue of $62.8 million in 2011, all from the U.S., and of $51.5 million in 2010, according to information the agency submitted to Ad Age DataCenter for the publication's upcoming Agency Report.
Roundarch was founded in 2000 by Deloitte and WPP. In 2005, the company became independent via a management buyout led by Geoff Cubitt and Jeff Maling, now co-presidents of the company. Roundarch ranked No. 39 among U.S. digital agencies by U.S. revenue in 2010.
Aegis plans to purchase U.S. digital agency Roundarch for an initial $125 million. Including earnouts, the deal could reach $250 million over the next five years.
Roundarch, which employs 250 people in Chicago, Denver, Boston and New York, builds websites and apps for clients such as Avis, HBO, Motorola and the U.S. Air Force.
Roundarch had pretax profit of $11.5 million in 2010, with assets of $14 million, according to a public statement from Aegis.
Roundarch had revenue of $62.8 million in 2011, all from the U.S., and of $51.5 million in 2010, according to information the agency submitted to Ad Age DataCenter for the publication's upcoming Agency Report.
Roundarch was founded in 2000 by Deloitte and WPP. In 2005, the company became independent via a management buyout led by Geoff Cubitt and Jeff Maling, now co-presidents of the company. Roundarch ranked No. 39 among U.S. digital agencies by U.S. revenue in 2010.
Monday, February 6, 2012
IPG acquires Huge
Interpublic Group (IPG), one of the world's leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing service provider, recently announced acquisition of FUSE, a digital and interactive agency based in the UK. With this acquisition, FUSE will now add strength to Interpublic’s GolinHarris network (GH International); being a part of the company’s current digital and interactive capabilities.
FUSE has been successfully blending the art of design with the power of technology to create unique digital experiences since 2004. Its offices in London and San Francisco serve clients, such as Unilever, Bissell, Tia Maria, Top Trumps and Dove. GolinHarris (GH), on the other hand addresses the increasing influence of digital and social media in communications.
Few days earlier, Interpublic Group also announced the acquisition of a leading German Consumer Lifestyle Agency, Nicole Weber Communications (NWC), which has offices in Hamburg and Munich. With this acquisition, NWC also became a part of the IPG’s GolinHarris network; adding new resources to help sustain the agency’s strong growth trajectory.
http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/69013/IPG+on+Acquisition+Fling,+Eyes+EU
FUSE has been successfully blending the art of design with the power of technology to create unique digital experiences since 2004. Its offices in London and San Francisco serve clients, such as Unilever, Bissell, Tia Maria, Top Trumps and Dove. GolinHarris (GH), on the other hand addresses the increasing influence of digital and social media in communications.
Few days earlier, Interpublic Group also announced the acquisition of a leading German Consumer Lifestyle Agency, Nicole Weber Communications (NWC), which has offices in Hamburg and Munich. With this acquisition, NWC also became a part of the IPG’s GolinHarris network; adding new resources to help sustain the agency’s strong growth trajectory.
http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/69013/IPG+on+Acquisition+Fling,+Eyes+EU
Cost Cuts Are in Store for P&G and Unilever
After years of big run-ups in marketing spending, packaged-goods giants Procter & Gamble Co.and Unilever are trying to modify their increases and talking more about how to save money, which isn't exactly great news for agencies, production companies or the media -- unless you're in digital. Both marketers are focusing on digital with its nearly bottomless well of media inventory and ample opportunities for "earned" media.
P&G boosted ad spending $1.8 billion to $9.3 billion during the past two years. Unilever has added more than $1 billion to annual spending compared to three years ago to reach $8.2 billion in reported spending last year.
Both also have said they plan to spend more this year, but want to at least moderate the increase. P&G doesn't plan to increase its ad-spending-to-sales ratio this year after watching it rise more than two points to 11.3% last year. Unilever carved 0.7 points off its ratio to 13.3% last year.
http://adage.com/article/news/cost-cuts-store-p-g-unilever/232539/
P&G boosted ad spending $1.8 billion to $9.3 billion during the past two years. Unilever has added more than $1 billion to annual spending compared to three years ago to reach $8.2 billion in reported spending last year.
Both also have said they plan to spend more this year, but want to at least moderate the increase. P&G doesn't plan to increase its ad-spending-to-sales ratio this year after watching it rise more than two points to 11.3% last year. Unilever carved 0.7 points off its ratio to 13.3% last year.
http://adage.com/article/news/cost-cuts-store-p-g-unilever/232539/
QuinStreet acquires Ziff Davis Enterprise
QuinStreet Inc., an online vertical marketing company, announced it has acquired many of Ziff Davis Enterprise's assets. The deal includes websites Baseline.com, ChannelInsider.com, CIOInsight.com, eWeek.com and WebBuyersGuide.com. The deal also includes ZDE's email and telephone subscriber database. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In September, QuinStreet acquired IT Business Edge. At the time, QuinStreet said it saw the b-to-b technology market as a key growth area.
“This acquisition expands QuinStreet's ability to service our b-to-b technology clients at scale, with high-quality, targeted, measurable marketing results,” Doug Valenti, QuinStreet CEO, said in a statement.
ZDE this year shifted its print properties, such as Baseline and eWeek, completely to digital platforms.
http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120206/MEDIABUSINESS03/120209986/quinstreet-acquires-ziff-davis-enterprise?utm_source=dailynewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=editorial&utm_campaign=dailyclickthroughs
“This acquisition expands QuinStreet's ability to service our b-to-b technology clients at scale, with high-quality, targeted, measurable marketing results,” Doug Valenti, QuinStreet CEO, said in a statement.
ZDE this year shifted its print properties, such as Baseline and eWeek, completely to digital platforms.
http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120206/MEDIABUSINESS03/120209986/quinstreet-acquires-ziff-davis-enterprise?utm_source=dailynewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=editorial&utm_campaign=dailyclickthroughs
Merkle acquires Facebook marketing company Social Amp
Customer relationship marketing company Merkle Inc. has acquired Social Amp, a company that provides Facebook linking solutions on corporate websites. Financial terms were undisclosed.
Social Amp, based in New York, will be part of Merkle Connect, Merkle's social CRM agency, but will continue to operate under its own name. The acquisition is expected to augment Merkle's ability to measure engagement, customer value and conversion, in linking sites with social activities.
Other recent acquisitions by Merkle include multichannel strategic consultancy Lenser Strategy Group and search marketing company Impaqt.
http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120201/AGENCIES01/302019994/merkle-acquires-facebook-marketing-company-social-amp?utm_source=dailynewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=editorial&utm_campaign=dailyclickthroughs
Social Amp, based in New York, will be part of Merkle Connect, Merkle's social CRM agency, but will continue to operate under its own name. The acquisition is expected to augment Merkle's ability to measure engagement, customer value and conversion, in linking sites with social activities.
Other recent acquisitions by Merkle include multichannel strategic consultancy Lenser Strategy Group and search marketing company Impaqt.
http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120201/AGENCIES01/302019994/merkle-acquires-facebook-marketing-company-social-amp?utm_source=dailynewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=editorial&utm_campaign=dailyclickthroughs
Friday, January 20, 2012
Crowdsourced Advertising Startup Trada Raises $9M in Funding
The crowdsourced online marketing company was set to announce Thursday that it had closed a $9 million Series D financing round from Foundry Group and Google Venture. The two investors had previously invested a combined $7.95 million in the company.
Trada CEO Niel Robertson said the new funding comes after a year of rapid growth for the company. Its head count grew from 30 to nearly 100 employees in 2011 while its total advertiser budget running in the marketplace expanded by 700 percent. While Trada’s largest advertiser had a monthly budget of $35,000 a month at the start of 2011, its biggest advertiser now has a monthly budget of $500,000, he said.
The company launched three years ago as a supplier of search advertising services to SMBs that Robertson felt were left behind in the paid search market. Instead of needing tools or a better interface, he said, they needed human expertise.
http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/crowdsourced-advertising-startup-trada-raises-9m-funding-137329
Trada CEO Niel Robertson said the new funding comes after a year of rapid growth for the company. Its head count grew from 30 to nearly 100 employees in 2011 while its total advertiser budget running in the marketplace expanded by 700 percent. While Trada’s largest advertiser had a monthly budget of $35,000 a month at the start of 2011, its biggest advertiser now has a monthly budget of $500,000, he said.
The company launched three years ago as a supplier of search advertising services to SMBs that Robertson felt were left behind in the paid search market. Instead of needing tools or a better interface, he said, they needed human expertise.
http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/crowdsourced-advertising-startup-trada-raises-9m-funding-137329
Slack & Co. acquires Metrica B2B
Chicago—Slack & Co. has acquired Metrica B2B, a b2b demand-generation consulting company. Financial terms of the deal were undisclosed. Metrica will become part of a new unit of Chicago-based b2b agency Slack. As part of the deal, Keith Sullivan, founder of Metrica B2B, will lead the new unit at Slack & Co. and serve as an account director at the agency.
http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120105/STRATEGY10/301059998/slack-co-acquires-metrica-b2b
Glam Media Will Test Investors' Appetite for Digital-Media IPOs
Glam was founded in 2005 by former Apple exec Samir Arora and funded at $130 million by a glittering coterie of Silicon Valley venture capitalists, including Tim Draper. Its business model is as old as advertising itself: Place big, lush display ads where users will see them. In this case, that means 2,500 websites -- mostly geared toward women -- you've probably never heard of, such as Women's Forum, SheFinds and 101 Cookbooks.
Glam CEO Mr. Arora enjoys talking about how Glam is No. 1 in reach and revenue among properties targeting women. "We don't have any competitors in the women's space, not even close," he said. Glam was the 10th most-trafficked U.S. web property in November, with 83.9 million unique visitors, according to ComScore.
Glam bought Ning, a platform for building social communities, for a reported $150 million late last year. Jason Rosenthal, Ning's exec VP-general manager, said a product is in the pipeline to help users "discover, find and curate some of the best content" across Glam's verticals.
Glam CEO Mr. Arora enjoys talking about how Glam is No. 1 in reach and revenue among properties targeting women. "We don't have any competitors in the women's space, not even close," he said. Glam was the 10th most-trafficked U.S. web property in November, with 83.9 million unique visitors, according to ComScore.
Glam bought Ning, a platform for building social communities, for a reported $150 million late last year. Jason Rosenthal, Ning's exec VP-general manager, said a product is in the pipeline to help users "discover, find and curate some of the best content" across Glam's verticals.
Dentsu Gobbles up New York Agency M.L. Rogers
The independent agency will merge with Dentsu's U.S. flagship agency, Dentsu America . The M.L. Rogers name will disappear and both shops will function under the Dentsu America name going forward. M.L. Rogers has nearly 20 employees, who will be combined with the nearly 90 employees that Dentsu America houses in its downtown Manhattan headquarters.
Executives said the deal stems from a single client the two shops share: This summer, Dentsu won the Scotts digital business in September and started working collaboratively with Rogers, which handles the traditional creative. M.L. Rogers' other clients include Checkers/Rally's restaurants and Blistex, as well as project work for Moet Hennessey.
"We're better together than we are apart and more and more clients are asking for that type of integration and collaboration," Tim Andree, CEO of Dentsu Network West, told Ad Age. "The two agencies, because of their chemistry and the complement between the talent, will end up coming together as one stronger team. We expect the Dentsu clients and Rogers clients to be served better as a result and we expect it to grow."
http://adage.com/article/agency-news/japan-s-dentsu-purchases-york-agency-m-l-rogers/231990/?utm_source=daily_email&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=adage
Executives said the deal stems from a single client the two shops share: This summer, Dentsu won the Scotts digital business in September and started working collaboratively with Rogers, which handles the traditional creative. M.L. Rogers' other clients include Checkers/Rally's restaurants and Blistex, as well as project work for Moet Hennessey.
"We're better together than we are apart and more and more clients are asking for that type of integration and collaboration," Tim Andree, CEO of Dentsu Network West, told Ad Age. "The two agencies, because of their chemistry and the complement between the talent, will end up coming together as one stronger team. We expect the Dentsu clients and Rogers clients to be served better as a result and we expect it to grow."
http://adage.com/article/agency-news/japan-s-dentsu-purchases-york-agency-m-l-rogers/231990/?utm_source=daily_email&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=adage
Neolane Lands $27 Million For ‘Conversational Marketing’ Tech
Marketing process automation software vendor Neolane has secured $27 million in funding in a round led by Battery Ventures, an investor in companies like Groupon, ExactTarget, Marketo, Bazaarvoice, Lotame and BlueKai.
Previous Neolane backers Auriga Partners, XAnge and board member Gilles Queru also participated in the round.
Neolane sells a centralized system that helps marketers and business owners track and manage marketing activity data from all across the board, thus enabling them to generate targeted messaging and relevant offers based on customer behavior and preferences.
The company says 400 B2C and B2B customers (including divisions of Fortune 500 organizations) rely on its marketing technology today, and that they’ve achieved profitability in 2011, after a decade in business. Alcatel-Lucent, Barnes & Noble, Orange and Sony Music are some of its clients.
http://www.neolane.com/usa/resources/articles/articles-2012/neolane-lands-27-million-tech-crunch
Previous Neolane backers Auriga Partners, XAnge and board member Gilles Queru also participated in the round.
Neolane sells a centralized system that helps marketers and business owners track and manage marketing activity data from all across the board, thus enabling them to generate targeted messaging and relevant offers based on customer behavior and preferences.
The company says 400 B2C and B2B customers (including divisions of Fortune 500 organizations) rely on its marketing technology today, and that they’ve achieved profitability in 2011, after a decade in business. Alcatel-Lucent, Barnes & Noble, Orange and Sony Music are some of its clients.
http://www.neolane.com/usa/resources/articles/articles-2012/neolane-lands-27-million-tech-crunch
Deloitte acquires mobile agency Ubermind
Management consultancy Deloitte has acquired mobile agency Ubermind Inc. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but tech news site GeekWire pegged the price at $40 million to $50 million.
According to Deloitte, the transaction amplifies its professional services relating to strategy, creative, mobile, Web, e-commerce, content and enterprise mobile enablement.
Seattle-based Ubermind develops interactive and mobile products for a number of companies, including Apple Inc. and Target Corp.
http://www.geekwire.com/2012/confirmed-deloitte-buys-ubermind-making-play-mobile-apps
http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120110/STRATEGY10/301109993/deloitte-acquires-mobile-agency-ubermind?utm_source=dailynewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=editorial&utm_campaign=dailyclickthroughs
According to Deloitte, the transaction amplifies its professional services relating to strategy, creative, mobile, Web, e-commerce, content and enterprise mobile enablement.
Seattle-based Ubermind develops interactive and mobile products for a number of companies, including Apple Inc. and Target Corp.
http://www.geekwire.com/2012/confirmed-deloitte-buys-ubermind-making-play-mobile-apps
http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120110/STRATEGY10/301109993/deloitte-acquires-mobile-agency-ubermind?utm_source=dailynewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=editorial&utm_campaign=dailyclickthroughs
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Online ad spending to surpass print, hitting $39.5B
U.S. online advertising spending, which grew 23.0% to $32.0 billion in 2011, is expected to grow an additional 23.3%, to $39.5 billion, this year, pushing it ahead of print newspaper and magazine ad spending for the first time, according to a new study by eMarketer Inc.
Print ad spending is expected to fall to $33.8 billion this year, from $36.0 billion in 2011.
Total ad spending is also expected to grow, according to the company. Despite concern about the troubled economy, total ad expenditures in the U.S. are expected to grow by 6.7% this year, to $169.5 billion, boosted by the national elections and summer Olympics in London. In 2011, overall ad expenditures grew 3.4%, to $158.9 billion, eMarketer said.
http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120119/ADVERTISING14/301199994/online-ad-spending-to-surpass-print-hitting-39-5b?utm_source=dailynewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=editorial&utm_campaign=dailyclickthroughs
Print ad spending is expected to fall to $33.8 billion this year, from $36.0 billion in 2011.
Total ad spending is also expected to grow, according to the company. Despite concern about the troubled economy, total ad expenditures in the U.S. are expected to grow by 6.7% this year, to $169.5 billion, boosted by the national elections and summer Olympics in London. In 2011, overall ad expenditures grew 3.4%, to $158.9 billion, eMarketer said.
http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120119/ADVERTISING14/301199994/online-ad-spending-to-surpass-print-hitting-39-5b?utm_source=dailynewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=editorial&utm_campaign=dailyclickthroughs
Eric Mower, Strata-G merge
Eric Mower+Associates, Syracuse, N.Y., announced a merger with Strata-G Communications, Cincinnati. Financial terms were undisclosed. Under the merger, the Cincinnati office of Strata-G will be renamed Strata-G/Eric Mower+Associates, and all Strata-G staff will remain with the agency. Strata-G principals Jeff Eberlein and Tony Magliano will continue to lead the Cincinnati office and will join EMA as senior partners and board members.
http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120118/STRATEGY10/301189996/eric-mower-strata-g-merge?utm_source=dailynewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=editorial&utm_campaign=dailyclickthroughs
http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120118/STRATEGY10/301189996/eric-mower-strata-g-merge?utm_source=dailynewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=editorial&utm_campaign=dailyclickthroughs
Deloitte, Accenture Are Among Big IT Players Looking to Learn Digital Biz of Marketing Brands to Consumers
http://adage.com/article/digital/tech-consulting-giants-slide-closer-creative-shop-turf/232083/
Deloitte recently acquired mobile shop Übermind for a reported $40 million after the Seattle agency entertained a range of suitors, including agency-holding companies. Having made its name in systems integration and enterprise technology, Deloitte is adding the creative and design chops that built consumer-facing products such as Apple's first online store and Target's mobile and tablet apps.
Deloitte is not the first IT consultant to see that need. It's following a path Sapient Corp. forged years ago when it created its own agency, SapientNitro, which brought in $515 million in global revenue in 2010.
Accenture Interactive isn't claiming quite yet that it's a creative agency. Instead, it's been working in tandem with digital agencies to pitch new business around the world. One of its partners is European shop LBi; Mr. Whipple declined to speak about that relationship but stressed that relationships with agencies are "complementary, not competitive."
Deloitte recently acquired mobile shop Übermind for a reported $40 million after the Seattle agency entertained a range of suitors, including agency-holding companies. Having made its name in systems integration and enterprise technology, Deloitte is adding the creative and design chops that built consumer-facing products such as Apple's first online store and Target's mobile and tablet apps.
Deloitte is not the first IT consultant to see that need. It's following a path Sapient Corp. forged years ago when it created its own agency, SapientNitro, which brought in $515 million in global revenue in 2010.
Accenture Interactive isn't claiming quite yet that it's a creative agency. Instead, it's been working in tandem with digital agencies to pitch new business around the world. One of its partners is European shop LBi; Mr. Whipple declined to speak about that relationship but stressed that relationships with agencies are "complementary, not competitive."
Monday, January 16, 2012
Stripes Group Closes $25 Million Minority Growth Investment in eMarketer
Stripes Group has completed a $25 million minority investment in eMarketer (emarketer.com), a business information provider covering digital marketing, media and commerce.
Stripes’ equity stake was acquired by purchasing a portion of the equity held by early eMarketer investors, including the company’s major shareholder, Beehive Ventures, LLC, and the company’s founders. This recapitalization is designed to provide liquidity for long-time shareholders and support the rapid growth of eMarketer.
http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1103262434462-16/Stripes+Group_eMarketer+Press+Release_Jan2012.pdf
Stripes’ equity stake was acquired by purchasing a portion of the equity held by early eMarketer investors, including the company’s major shareholder, Beehive Ventures, LLC, and the company’s founders. This recapitalization is designed to provide liquidity for long-time shareholders and support the rapid growth of eMarketer.
http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1103262434462-16/Stripes+Group_eMarketer+Press+Release_Jan2012.pdf
MDC Partners Picks Up RJ Palmer
RJ PALMER, a leading independent media agency, is being acquired by MDC Partners in a deal that underscores the growing importance to marketers of media services in a digital age.
RJ Palmer is based in New York and handles accounts with billings estimated at more than $800 million for brands like Ben & Jerry’s, sold by Unilever; Build-A-Bear Workshop; the footwear retailer DSW; Dulcolax, Flomax, Spiriva and Zantac, from Boehringer Ingelheim; Keurig, sold by Green Mountain Coffee; Lunesta, from Sunovion; Perdue Farms; Sherwin-Williams; and Sports Illustrated, published by the Time Inc. division of Time Warner.
The services provided to clients by RJ Palmer include media planning and buying as well as branded entertainment, which is focused on helping to incorporate brands into programming like television shows.
The deal, which is to be formally announced on Thursday, will cost MDC an estimated $25 million, including additional considerations based on future performance. RJ Palmer will operate as a stand-alone division of MDC; all of its senior managers and 70 employees are to continue with the agency.
RJ Palmer has offices in Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in addition to its headquarters in New York. The senior managers at RJ Palmer who will remain after the sale include, in addition to Mr. Knobloch, Jim Vail, president; Pete Regan, chief operating officer; Peter Stieglitz, chief financial officer; and Vince Laraia, president of Trade X Media.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/05/business/media/mdc-partners-picks-up-rj-palmer.html
RJ Palmer is based in New York and handles accounts with billings estimated at more than $800 million for brands like Ben & Jerry’s, sold by Unilever; Build-A-Bear Workshop; the footwear retailer DSW; Dulcolax, Flomax, Spiriva and Zantac, from Boehringer Ingelheim; Keurig, sold by Green Mountain Coffee; Lunesta, from Sunovion; Perdue Farms; Sherwin-Williams; and Sports Illustrated, published by the Time Inc. division of Time Warner.
The services provided to clients by RJ Palmer include media planning and buying as well as branded entertainment, which is focused on helping to incorporate brands into programming like television shows.
The deal, which is to be formally announced on Thursday, will cost MDC an estimated $25 million, including additional considerations based on future performance. RJ Palmer will operate as a stand-alone division of MDC; all of its senior managers and 70 employees are to continue with the agency.
RJ Palmer has offices in Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in addition to its headquarters in New York. The senior managers at RJ Palmer who will remain after the sale include, in addition to Mr. Knobloch, Jim Vail, president; Pete Regan, chief operating officer; Peter Stieglitz, chief financial officer; and Vince Laraia, president of Trade X Media.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/05/business/media/mdc-partners-picks-up-rj-palmer.html
Adobe, Looking To Grab Rising Online Video Ad Dollars, Buys Auditude
Adobe (NSDQ: ADBE) is continuing to build its advertising business through major acquisitions and this time, it’s buying Auditude, which operates a platform for managing online video ads. Terms of the deal, Adobe’s third since buying online analytics firm Omniture (NSDQ: OMTR) for $1.8 billion two years ago, weren’t disclosed.
It’s been noted many times that online video is the fastest growing segment of internet advertising. This year, U.S. online video advertising revenues of around $2 billion, eMarketer says, while the total online ad market will be about $30 billion. Video is attractive to advertisers for obvious reasons: it tends to command more attention than text or audio alone, and therefore provides the kinds of engagement metrics that brand marketers value.http://paidcontent.org/article/419-adobe-looking-to-grab-rising-online-video-ad-dollars-buys-auditude/
Corbis to Acquire NMA Group
Corbis, the digital media company owned by Bill Gates that licenses the intellectual property rights to photographs, music and public personalities, is expanding again by acquiring the NMA Group in Los Angeles, a pioneer in the realm of branded entertainment, which helps marketers weave products into the plots of movies and television shows.
Clients of NMA, also known as Norm Marshall & Associates, include General Motors, Heineken, Puma, the SodaStream soda maker and the Xbox unit of Microsoft. The acquisition is to be announced on Monday.
“This will greatly expand our ability to offer advertisers ways to more closely affiliate with branded entertainment,” said Gary Shenk, chief executive at Corbis in Seattle.
NMA, which also has offices in New York and London, will operate as an autonomous unit of the entertainment division of Corbis.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/09/business/media/corbis-to-acquire-nma-group.html?_r=1
Clients of NMA, also known as Norm Marshall & Associates, include General Motors, Heineken, Puma, the SodaStream soda maker and the Xbox unit of Microsoft. The acquisition is to be announced on Monday.
“This will greatly expand our ability to offer advertisers ways to more closely affiliate with branded entertainment,” said Gary Shenk, chief executive at Corbis in Seattle.
NMA, which also has offices in New York and London, will operate as an autonomous unit of the entertainment division of Corbis.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/09/business/media/corbis-to-acquire-nma-group.html?_r=1
SolutionSet Media Whiz acquires D.L. Ryan
SolutionSet MediaWhiz has snapped up D.L. Ryan Cos., which owns shopper firm Ryan Partnership, among others.
The deal marks the creation of a new-school holding company. The companies will combine their efforts in Hyper Marketing, an umbrella company that will comprise Solution Set, MediaWhiz, Ryan Partnership and Catapult. Lake Capital, a private-equity firm in Chicago that bought a stake in SolutionSet in 2006, will have the majority interest in Hyper Marketing, with the remainder held by senior executives.
According to the Ad Age DataCenter, in 2010, D.L. Ryan Cos. had revenue of $105.7 million, MediaWhiz had $36.4 million and SolutionSet had $83.1 million. But Mr. Raj estimates the companies' combined revenue at a little north of $400 million.
The deal adds 600 employees to SolutionSet MediaWhiz, while Hyper Marketing has a workforce of more than 1,300 people in 19 cities. Its activities include direct and digital marketing, digital media-planning and buying, and shopper marketing and promotions.
Mr. Raj describes what he is building as a "future-driven model" willing to leave the companies under its umbrella discrete. At the same time, however, Hyper Marketing won't be hands off but will put together cross-unit solutions for clients when asked. Those clients include AT&T , American Express, Adidas, Cisco, Dell , eBay, Energizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Kellogg's, Office Depot, The Home Depot and Unilever .
http://adage.com/article/agency-news/solutionset-mediawhiz-buys-shopper-marketing-firm-d-l-ryan/232008/
The deal marks the creation of a new-school holding company. The companies will combine their efforts in Hyper Marketing, an umbrella company that will comprise Solution Set, MediaWhiz, Ryan Partnership and Catapult. Lake Capital, a private-equity firm in Chicago that bought a stake in SolutionSet in 2006, will have the majority interest in Hyper Marketing, with the remainder held by senior executives.
According to the Ad Age DataCenter, in 2010, D.L. Ryan Cos. had revenue of $105.7 million, MediaWhiz had $36.4 million and SolutionSet had $83.1 million. But Mr. Raj estimates the companies' combined revenue at a little north of $400 million.
The deal adds 600 employees to SolutionSet MediaWhiz, while Hyper Marketing has a workforce of more than 1,300 people in 19 cities. Its activities include direct and digital marketing, digital media-planning and buying, and shopper marketing and promotions.
Mr. Raj describes what he is building as a "future-driven model" willing to leave the companies under its umbrella discrete. At the same time, however, Hyper Marketing won't be hands off but will put together cross-unit solutions for clients when asked. Those clients include AT&T , American Express, Adidas, Cisco, Dell , eBay, Energizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Kellogg's, Office Depot, The Home Depot and Unilever .
http://adage.com/article/agency-news/solutionset-mediawhiz-buys-shopper-marketing-firm-d-l-ryan/232008/
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