MRM//McCann Expands E-commerce Footprint With Acquisition Of Optaros, Inc.

NEW YORK, Dec. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- McCann Worldgroup, a unit of the Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG), today announced that its global customer-experience marketing agency, MRM//McCann, has acquired Optaros, Inc., a leading digital eCommerce services/solutions provider. 

Founded in 2004, Optaros is a global digital eCommerce consulting and service provider that has worked with hundreds of clients in helping them to conceive, build, and operate integrated digital eCommerce solutions. Optaros will remain headquartered in Boston as a unit within MRM//McCann and continue to be led by CEO Rob Willms.

"The addition of Optaros' expertise to MRM//McCann enables us to create rich, connected customer experiences all the way through to the transaction by creating outstanding eCommerce experiences for all our clients," said Michael McLaren, CEO, MRM//McCann. "This is an increasingly important component of our total service offering and will help our clients get ever closer to their customers. We are excited to bring Optaros into the MRM//McCann family".

As a new breed of digital eCommerce partner that combines the capabilities of both a systems integrator and a brand-focused digital commerce agency, Optaros delivers branded technology and tools enabling customer experiences across the digital landscape. In addition to its Boston office, it maintains offices in Austin, San Francisco, and Bucharest, Romania, with more than 150 employees across its network.

Harris Diamond, Chairman & CEO, McCann Worldgroup said "As the demand for marketing technology continues to accelerate and as our clients continue to seek a growing level of integration across the entire customer experience, Optaros enhances and accelerates MRM//McCann's ability to deliver integrated digital experiences for our clients."

MRM//McCann's comprehensive digital marketing and consumer engagement capabilities include strategic, creative, technology and performance analysis services in a network spanning across more than 30 countries.

Rob Willms, CEO Optaros remarked, "Our clients have long considered us an innovation leader and a proven partner in their pursuit of tangible and reliable solutions for eCommerce.  By combining our expertise with MRM//McCann's we are well-positioned to ensure we're always providing our clients with sound direction and advice based on the latest trends and practices in the digital commerce ecosystem in a way that will help our clients manage the consumer experience from initial engagement through transaction and into loyalty."

AGC Partners acted as exclusive financial advisor to Optaros on this transaction.

About MRM//McCann

MRM//McCann is a global customer experience-marketing agency, part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). We simplify the complex—helping our clients navigate, transform and gain competitive advantage within today's multidimensional, digitally driven world. We achieve this through creative ideas born at the intersection of technology solutions, measurable performance and our unique understanding of people. This philosophy guides our approach to creating innovative experiences that matter to both people and brands. The agency has 30+ offices across North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. For more information, please visit www.mrm-mccann.com.

About Optaros, Inc.

Optaros is a global digital commerce professional service partner that helps companies conceive, design, build and operate eCommerce technology solutions that accelerate revenue and reduce costs. With clients such as Macy's, Stella & Dot, Nestle, and Rue La La, Optaros takes a customer-centric approach to creating exceptional commerce experiences for exceptional brands, providing the user experience and visual design expertise of a digital agency, the technological capabilities of a systems integrator, and the thought leadership of a strategic consultancy. From core eCommerce and mobile to omni-channel and multi-channel experiences, Optaros delivers next generation tools and experiences that enable consumers at every digital touch point in the retail, consumer goods, media, healthcare and financial services industries.  Optaros is a key integration partner of Demandware, hybris and Magento.

About McCann Worldgroup

McCann Worldgroup, part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG), is a leading global marketing services company with 23,000 employees in more than 120 countries, comprising McCann Erickson (advertising), MRM//McCann (digital marketing/relationship management), Momentum Worldwide (total brand experience), McCann Health (professional/dtc communications), CRAFT (global adaptation and production), UM (media management), Weber Shandwick (public relations), FutureBrand (consulting/design), ChaseDesign (shopper marketing) and PMK-BNC (entertainment/brand/popular culture).

CONTACT: Sue Geramian, 646-865-6041

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SOURCE MRM//McCann