MediaMath acquires mobile and video ad delivery platform Tap.Me

mediamathMediaMath, a digital media-buying platform, has acquired mobile and video in-game ad platform Tap.Me.  The terms of the deal were not disclosed.  Tap.Me had raised in excess of $4M from investors including: Hyde Park Venture Partners, I2A Fund, Hyde Park Angels and Great Oaks Venture Capital.

“As marketers are increasingly turning their focus to mobile and video, Tap.Me has built technology that makes it easy for marketers to deliver their message in these environments,” said Joe Zawadzki, MediaMath CEO. “By adding their technology and brilliant engineering team, we’re building a better platform that gives advertisers the ability to buy across all digital marketing channels from one single platform.”

Tap.Me CEO Matt Spiegel joins MediaMath’s executive team as SVP and GM of Open, MediaMath’s business and technology environment for digital interoperability, and will oversee MediaMath’s operations in the Mid-West region.  The entire Tap.Me team will join MediaMath.

New York, NY & Chicago, IL

 

Publicis Groupe acquires AR New York

PublicisPublicis Groupe has acquired AR New York, a full-service advertising agency dedicated to the luxury goods, fashion and beauty industries. AR New York will become part of Publicis Worldwide, the Groupe’s historic advertising network. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

AR New York has helped to build a number of iconic global brands, including Asprey, Banana Republic, Brioni, Brooks Brothers, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, DFS, Dolce & Gabbana, Jimmy Choo, Moët & Chandon, Neiman Marcus, Salvatore Ferragamo, Smartwater, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, Valentino, Versace, Vogue Magazine and Waldorf Astoria. The agency was founded in 1996 by Raul Martinez and Alex Gonzalez. Current CEO Dianne desRoches joined as a third partner in 2000. Their team comprises some 50 communications professionals based in Manhattan.

AR New York will retain its name within the Publicis Worldwide global network, and will continue to service its core luxury and fashion markets. Founding partner Raul Martinez (Chief Creative Officer) and Dianne desRoches (CEO) will remain at the head of the agency, and will report to Jean-Yves Naouri, Chief Operating Officer of Publicis Groupe and Executive Chairman of Publicis Worldwide.

“The luxury market is an advertising segment ripe with investment opportunity,” said Jean-Yves Naouri. “It is forecast to grow by up to 7% in 2012, defying global turmoil and breaking into new markets. We are especially pleased to welcome the AR New York teams to Publicis Worldwide. They are passionate about the powerful influence of contemporary arts, design and culture on consumers’ engagement with brands, and this vitality and focus is the drive behind the award-winning work they create for their clients.”

France, Paris & USA, New York, NY

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Publicis acquires iStrat and MarketGate in India

PublicisPublicis Groupe has acquired two different agencies in India : iStrat, an integrated digital agencies, as well as MarketGate, a Mumbai-based strategic business and marketing consulting firm.

iStrat was founded in 2003 and provides solutions across all forms of digital marketing. The agency services a broad range of clients, including Alpha G:Corp (real estate), the Confederation of Indian Industries, Dupont (luxury accessories), Hero Corp (motorcycles), Hindware (kitchen and sanitary appliances), Maruti Suzuki, the NASSCOM software trade association, and Nestlé. The agency, which is headquartered in Delhi and employs a team of 50, provides the full range of digital communications services including e-commerce store fronts, search engine optimization, social media, and rich media.

MarketGate, which was founded in 2005, delivers services in business growth planning, marketing strategy, brand positioning, portfolio strategy, brand architecture development, and marketing skills development. The agency’s 7 consulting experts aim to rejuvenate brands and power their growth by deploying marketing processes throughout their clients’ organizations. Clients include Colgate, Dabur (foods/personal care), General Motors, GlaxoSmithKline, Godrej (personal care), HSBC, ICICI (financial services/banking), Madura Garments (fashion), Mahindra & Mahindra (automobile), MTR (foods), and Radio Mirchi Viacom.

As a part of this acquisition Publicis Groupe will also acquire MarketGate Dimensions, a subsidiary providing research-based solutions to business, marketing and brand issues, with offices in Mumbai, Delhi & Bangalore. Its client list includes Glenmark (personal care), Kellogg’s, Maruti Suzuki, The Walt Disney Company and Viacom 18.

iStrat will be rebranded Publicis iStrat and will operate as a unit within Publicis Modem, Publicis Worldwide’s global digital network. Its founders Navneet Singh Sahni (CEO) and Sonya Sahni (Head of Marketing) will continue to lead the agency. MarketGate will retain its name and will operate within Publicis Worldwide.  It will also continue to be led by founders Shripad Nadkarni (CEO) and Sharda Agarwal (Executive Director).  Both iStrat and MarketGate leadership will now report into Nakul Chopra, CEO South Asia for Publicis Worldwide.

“We’ve recently made a number of smart, bold moves in India, and we’re going to continue doing so,” declared Jean-Yves Naouri, Chief Operating Officer of Publicis Groupe and Executive Chairman of Publicis Worldwide, during a press conference held in Mumbai today. “Building digital capabilities is a fundamental part of the Publicis strategy, and today’s acquisition of iStrat and the strengthening of our digital arm in this promising market is a key step towards realizing our growth goals. In addition, MarketGate is a fast-moving strategic outfit with strong skill-sets, an impressive range of clients and thorough knowledge of the Indian market and its consumers,” he continued.

France , Paris & India, Delhi & India, Mumbai

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AOL’s Advertising.com Group Acquires Buysight, Inc.

AOL’s Advertising.com Group has acquired Buysight, Inc., a provider of retargeting and intent-based targeted advertising. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Advertising.com Group clients include

Based in Sunnyvale, California and founded in 2008, Buysight offers ad targeting and retargeting services to the likes of ADTECH, The AOL On Network, goviral and Pictela. The company was funded by ONSET Ventures and Rembrandt Venture Partners.

“Our acquisition of Buysight is the perfect complement to our powerful suite of offerings for advertisers, agencies and publishers seeking to maximize their brands online,” said Ned Brody, CEO, Advertising.com Group. “We strongly believe that both brand and performance display, as well as mobile and video campaigns benefit from dynamic, targeted creatives and messaging. The acquisition of Buysight brings proven Dynamic Creative Optimization and machine learning capabilities which will further enhance AdLearn, our market-leading optimization engine, and its ability to provide brands and performance marketers a comprehensive and integrated optimization solution across channels.”

USA, New York, NY & Sunnyvale, CA

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NewBay Media acquires Intent Media Limited

New Bay IntentNewBay Media has acquired Intent Media. Intent, based in the U.K., produces business publications, websites and events within the entertainment, technology and leisure markets. Its brands include Pro Sound News Europe, TVB Europe, Installation, MCV, and ToyNews among many others.

NewBay, was formed in 2006 by the sale of United Business Media’s CMP Entertainment Media division. It is backed by The Wicks Group of Companies, www.wicksgroup.com a New York-based private equity

“Strategically, our plan has always included international expansion, and I am pleased that we were able to do this with a company that so perfectly complements our own portfolio and mission,” states Steve Palm, President and CEO, NewBay. “The addition of Intent immediately enhances our ability to serve the Broadcast, Pro Audio and AV markets. Further, Intent’s terrific team and operating platform open up new opportunities for global expansion of our powerful U.S. brands, as well as development of Intent’s market-leading Gaming, Music and Computer/Mobile Retailing brands into the U.S.”

Intent will operate in parallel to NewBay’s existing business. Stuart Dinsey, Intent’s Founder and Managing Director, will continue his role under the new ownership and will help manage NewBay’s European efforts, operating from Intent’s offices in Hertfordshire and London.

This is the sixth major acquisition of brands by NewBay in as many years, adding assets from United Business Media’s CMP Entertainment Media division in September 2006, from IMAS in July 2007, from Reed Business Information-US in December 2009, from Penton in February 2011, and from Future PLC in January 2012.

USA, New York, NY & UK, Hertford, Hertfordshire

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Google acquires Incentive Targeting

googleGoogle has acquired coupon targeting company Incentive Targeting. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

The acquisition was announced in a Tweet by Mike Dudas. Mike is on Google’s mobile commerce team. The Tweet reads, “Google acquires Incentive Targeting to power highly targeted manufacturer and private label coupon programs”

Here is the press release from Incentive Targeting:

We are excited to announce that Incentive Targeting has been acquired by Google!

When we founded Incentive Targeting in 2007, we set out to do for retail couponing what Google had done for online advertising: make it simple, relevant, measurable, and effective. So, it is both humbling and gratifying to be joining the ranks of the company that inspired our initial vision.

As part of Google, we will have the resources and expertise to continue the transformation of couponing from a way to give discounts to a way to build business. And, we can now work towards that vision as part of a company that improves the lives of hundreds of millions of people every day.

We didn’t reach this milestone alone. From day one, we have relied on the support and commitment of our retailers, brands, investors, partners, and advisors, as well as the hard work and dedication of our team. We could not have done this without them, and as we look ahead, we are thrilled to be part of Google!

– Ben, Josh, and the entire Incentive Targeting team

USA, Mountain View, CA & Cambridge, MA

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USA, Mountain View, CA & Cambridge, MA

John Menzies acquires Orbital Marketing Services

John Menzies plc subsidiary Menzies Distribution has acquired Orbital Marketing Services Group Limited for £13.6 million.  Orbital was 51% owned by BP Direct Mail Company Limited and 49% by Rydlings Limited, whose shareholders comprise the existing management team who will remain with the business.

Orbital comprises a portfolio of UK based logistics and marketing services businesses serving the travel, tourism, education, charity, publishing and healthcare sectors. The company was established in 1972 and it employs over 550 staff at 9 locations across the UK.

For the year to March 2012 Orbital reported an operating profit of £2.2m and gross assets of £13.5m.

Menzies are paying a total of £13.6 million with £7.7 million payable now and a further £5.9 million payable on 31 December 2014. Further consideration, up to a maximum of £6.3m may be payable only if exceptionally high levels of profit performance were to be achieved by December 2014.

Iain Napier, Chairman of John Menzies plc, said, “I am delighted that Menzies Distribution has acquired Orbital. This acquisition allows us to expand our printed media distribution footprint whilst also taking a large stride into adjacent growth areas. The team are now focussed on integrating these new businesses and driving through the significant synergies that have been identified. Orbital opens up new opportunities for us. The combined network will bring new reach to our logistical capabilities and allow us to expand some of Orbital’s services into new areas.”

UK, Edinburgh, Scotland & Asford, Kent

Creston acquires DJM Digital Solutions

Creston plc has acquired 75 per cent of the share capital of DJM Digital Solutions Ltd, a UK-based digital healthcare agency for up to £1.8 million. DJM’s founder, Dominic Marchant who will remain as Managing Director.

£1.2 million is being paid in cash. Net current assets of £0.3 million is retained within DJM. There will be a final cash payment based on average profit to March 2015 of up to £1.8 million which will be payable in June 2015. From April 2018 onwards the minority shareholders in DJM will have a request to put option and from April 2020 onwards Creston will have a call option, both options are for the remaining 25 per cent of DJM for a maximum consideration of £2.4 million.

For the financial year ended 31 July 2012, DJM’s unaudited statutory accounts reported revenues of £0.6 million and a pro-forma profit before taxation of £0.2 million, including a normalised shareholder Managing Director salary. As at 31 July 2012 DJM had net assets of £0.5 million.

Creston’s Health division and DJM have had a successful trading relationship for the past year and already have many clients in common (including AstraZeneca, Abbott and Takeda) at a UK, European and global level.  Recent collaborations between DJM and Creston Health have already led to new client work with Leo Pharma, UCB and Pfizer.

Based in Richmond, Surrey, and founded in 2001 with the aim of creating digital technology solutions for the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, DJM employs 26 professionals with a broad spectrum of capabilities.

Commenting on the acquisition, Don Elgie, Group Chief Executive of Creston plc, said: “The healthcare industry has historically been very cautious about the use of digital marketing in light of the tight regulatory environment in which it operates. However, the rapid uptake of smartphones and tablets among physicians is revolutionising work practices and the pharmaceutical industry is having to adapt its marketing communications accordingly.

“In the UK, in an industry where digital has been adopted quite late compared to other business sectors, DJM is one of the largest and most respected independent digital healthcare agencies. Working with our other health companies, as part of Creston Health, we are confident that DJM will facilitate the continued growth of the division as digital becomes an ever-more significant element of our clients’ and prospective clients’ briefs.”

UK, London & Richmond, Surrey

 

Aegis Media acquires Netsociety

Aegis Group plc has acquired Netsociety, a performance and search agency in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Netsociety, with offices in Amsterdam and Brussels, is a specialist performance marketing agency whose focus is on search marketing and digital performance media. Established in 2007, Netsociety has built a fast-growing business, with a diverse client base including Thomas Cook, ING, ABN AMRO and KLM.

The combination of Netsociety and iProspect will form a leading performance marketing agency in the Netherlands. Netsociety’s expertise and client base strengthens Aegis Media’s market position and is expected to generate the benefits of greater scale in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Julius Minnaar, CEO of Aegis Media Netherlands, said: “We are delighted to be acquiring Netsociety, which will enhance the prospects of our business in the Dutch and Belgian markets, ensuring we continue to produce outstanding work for our clients there. We welcome the Netsociety team into the fold and look forward to working with our new colleagues to leverage the exciting opportunities this acquisition will bring to our business in the Netherlands.”

UK, London & Netherlands, Amsterdam & Belgium, Brussels

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Nielsen, NM Incite acquires SocialGuide

NM Incite, a joint venture between Nielsen and McKinsey & Company, has acquired SocialGuide, a leading provider of social TV measurement, analytics and audience engagement solutions.  Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

SocialGuide is a real-time social TV capture service covering programming across 232 U.S. TV channels in English and Spanish, and over 30,000 programs.  Built for linear TV, SocialGuide’s intelligent analytics and engagement platform provides insight on the social impact of TV, enabling networks to engage with the social fan base in realtime.

SocialGuide will be integrated immediately into NM Incite, the hub of Nielsen’s social media measurement and analytics efforts.  SocialGuide’s software technology and data streams complement NM Incite’s existing software and data solutions.  Together, Nielsen, NM Incite and SocialGuide will focus on efforts to quantify the relationship between social TV and TV ratings to enable advertisers to maximize the impact of their spend, and provide new research metrics to understand social TV’s impact on consumer behavior and viewing habits.

“The opportunity in social TV is too big to ignore and there is a need for standard metrics and research to uncover the effect of social TV on programming and advertising strategies,” said Andrew Somosi, CEO of NM Incite.  “TV networks are expanding their research, advertising and engagement efforts across social media. The powerful combination of Nielsen, NM Incite and SocialGuide will enable us to deliver unparalleled insights and capabilities to our TV and advertiser clients.”

USA, New York, NY

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