Forum Moderators: phranque
and the story from AdWeek:
"IPG Buys Search Shop
Interpublic Group said it has closed a deal to acquire Reprise Media, a New York-based search marketing firm.
IPG said Reprise would continue to operate as a standalone entity led by founders Josh Stylman and Peter Hershberg.
...The acquisition is the first for IPG's Futures Marketing Group, launched in February under Bant Breen. Reprise will operate within the unit, which also manages the holding company's investments in emerging platforms like Spot Runner and Facebook.
Reprise will serve as a search resource for IPG agencies that do not have deep expertise themselves, the holding company said. Search advertising now accounts for nearly half of all Internet ad spending."
[adweek.com...]
1. Reprise Media was the largest independent SEM firm...until now
2. Interpublic is grouping Reprise Media, a search company, with other new media investments, including Spotrunner, Spongecell and Facebook. As such, search and social media investments will become Interpublic's "thread" between on and offline advertising.
3. Acquisition indicates a certain point of maturation of search. SEM firms seeking ways to differentiate their services and grow beyond a certain plateau either get acquired, or acquire other companies. Point Being: search is not an island? Ad agencies and SEMs alike are realizing that search is stronger as part of a portfolio of other online marketing services.
