PALAZZO served as exclusive financial advisor to Digital Kitchen, a digital content and design agency, on its sale to kyu, a strategic operating unit of Hakuhodo DY Holdings Inc. Digital Kitchen has offices in Chicago, Seattle and Los Angeles and takes a unique approach of blending strategic creative development, film, animation, digital, experiential design and rich brand storytelling to provide high-engagement brand solutions.
Transaction Category: Marketing Services
Flying Point Digital Acquired by Women’s Marketing, Inc, a Portfolio Company of PNC Riverarch Capital
PALAZZO served as exclusive financial advisor to Flying Point Digital, a performance-based digital marketing agency specializing in retail and e-commerce, on its sale to Women’s Marketing, a leading media strategy and buying firm based in Westport, CT, and a portfolio company of PNC Riverarch Capital. Flying Point Digital offers a full suite of consultative and interactive services in digital strategy consulting, SEO/SEM, content marketing, social media, and website optimization.
Pereira & O’Dell Acquires Majority Interest from Grupo ABC
PALAZZO served as exclusive financial advisor to Pereira & O’Dell, a leading international advertising agency, on its share repurchase from Grupo ABC. Pereira & O’Dell was most recently named as a “Standout Agency” in Advertising Age’s 2015 A-list and as one of the “Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Advertising” by Fast Company in 2014. With four offices in the US and Brazil, Pereira & O’Dell is currently working with major leading international brands for Skype, Intel, Coca-Cola, Henkel, Fiat-Chrysler, Anheuser-Busch Inbev, Fox Sports 1 and Memorial Sloan Kettering.
Underline Communications acquired by Sandbox
PALAZZO advises Underline Communications, a New York City based CRM and digital solutions agency on its sale to sandbox, a full service advertising agency established through the acquisition of complementary entrepreneurial marketing services firms. Underline helps leading brands including American Express and Leading Hotels of the World build valuable customer relationships through personalized communications and engaging digital experiences. In connection with this transaction sandbox also announced the acquisition of McCormick Company and ONE Advertising.
Formula, a Leading PR Agency, Acquired by Havas
PALAZZO advises Formula, a national public relations agency, on its sale to Havas. The new entity, Havas Formula, will comprise of about 100+ staff across three offices in New York, Los Angeles and San Diego. As one of the nation’s top PR firms, Formula has established a name for itself as a progressive firm that serves challenger brands looking to disrupt the market. Formula has represented clients as Heineken, Nestlé, Wyndham Hotel Group, and Dunkin’ Donuts.
Swift Acquired by POSSIBLE, a WPP Company
PALAZZO advises Swift, a digital agency that specializes in creative and strategy, branded content creation and social media, on its sale to POSSIBLE, a wholly owned WPP company. Swift was recently recognized as “Small Agency of the Year, Northwest” by Advertising Age, which speaks to the Company’s creative excellence, innovation and ability to deliver excellent results for their clients. Portland, OR based Swift serves a client roster including major names such as Starbucks, HTC and Nestle.
MKTG INC Acquired by Dentsu Aegis Network
PALAZZO, in association with David C. Wiener, have advised MKTG INC, a full service marketing agency, on its sale to Aegis Lifestyle, Inc., a subsidiary of Dentsu Aegis Network. MKTG is headquartered in New York with full service offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Cincinnati and London, England. MKTG provides experiential marketing, digital marketing, retail promotions and strategic research to a variety of the world’s most recognizable brands.
AMMIRATI, a Full-Service Creative Agency, Acquired by Resource
PALAZZO advises AMMIRATI, a New York-based full service creative shop on its sale to the Midwest digital agency Resource as part of a broader plan to revamp the agency’s brand. The acquisition gives Resource, a digital agency with over 300 staffers across San Francisco, Chicago, Columbus and Cincinnati, more creative clout and a New York presence.
GA Communication Group Acquired by Sandbox
PALAZZO advises GA Communication Group, a full-service healthcare marketing and communication agency, on its sale to sandbox. GA has become a founding member of sandbox, a global marketing and advertising agency network based in Chicago. Aiming to fill a void in an advertising industry dominated by large holding companies, sandbox will continue to build its network with mid-size marketing and advertising agencies worldwide.
La Comunidad, a Multicultural Creative Agency, Acquired by Sapient
PALAZZO advises La Comunidad, a leading creative agency renowned for award-winning, engaging campaigns that consistently break boundaries in cross-cultural marketing, on its sale to SapientNitro, part of Sapient. La Comunidad joins SapientNitro’s capabilities across brand, digital, commerce, and technology and will strengthen its storyscaping approach — which combines the power of storytelling with systems thinking to allow brands to create not just ads but worlds.