Interpublic Acquires German Consumer Lifestyle Agency Nicole Weber Communications

CHICAGO, Jan. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) today announced it has acquired Nicole Weber Communications (NWC), a leading consumer lifestyle agency with offices in Hamburg and Munich. NWC will become part of the GolinHarris network, one of its global communications agencies. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Established in 1996, NWC specializes in consumer public relations and lifestyle marketing. Founder Nicole Weber leads the NWC team and will serve as managing director. Throughout her career, Weber and her team have been responsible for consumer campaigns for major national and international brands, including Henkel Cosmetics , Renault, Asos.de, Coral Mexx, Pringle of Scotland, Campari and Hendrick's Gin, among others. Weber will report to Matt Neale, president, GH International.

Harris Diamond, chief executive officer of Interpublic's Constituency Management Group, which includes GolinHarris, commented about the deal: "As GH continues its aggressive organic growth, we are committed to building out its global network to better serve its clients by acquiring businesses that will add new resources to help sustain its strong trajectory."

"After looking at dozens of agencies in the German market, we chose Nicole Weber Communications because of their experience, staff talent, creativity and overall enthusiasm to join GolinHarris. Their strong consumer lifestyle capabilities will complement our existing financial and corporate communications practices in Frankfurt and expand our presence in Germany," said Neale. "Nicole and her team are extremely passionate about their clients and the business, and are a perfect cultural fit."

"By joining the GolinHarris network, my clients will have a new level of global reach and access to some of the most innovative minds in the communications field," said Nicole Weber.  "I'm proud to be part of this team."

"Our partnership with them is an important part of our growth strategy in Europe and future plans," said Fred Cook, CEO of GolinHarris. "I am confident that they will make a valuable contribution as the agency continues to grow."

In June, GolinHarris announced a new strategic initiative and major organizational redesign to address the increasing influence of digital and social media in communications, and the challenges of engaging audiences in a complex, constantly connected world. The agency's new model, called g4, is built around four global teams of dedicated specialists. In the g4 model, clients are served by integrated teams of dedicated experts (strategists, creators, catalysts and connectors) who deliver actionable insights, bold ideas, multi-media engagement and flawless, integrated execution.

About Interpublic
Interpublic is one of the world's leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing services companies. Major global brands include Draftfcb, FutureBrand, GolinHarris International, HUGE, Initiative, Jack Morton Worldwide, Lowe and Partners, MAGNAGLOBAL, McCann Erickson, Momentum, MRM Worldwide, Octagon, R/GA, UM and Weber Shandwick. Leading domestic brands include Campbell Ewald; Campbell Mithun; Carmichael Lynch; Deutsch, a Lowe and Partners Company; Gotham Inc.; Hill Holliday; ID Media; Mullen and The Martin Agency. For more information, please visit www.interpublic.com.

About GolinHarris
GolinHarris is a holistic communications firm designed and built to help clients win in a complex, connected society. In 2011, we completely redesigned our agency to combine strategy, creativity and engagement into one seamless package that is delivered to clients – big and small. Our organizational model, called g4, provides clients with a dedicated team of specialists, including strategists, creators, connectors and catalysts, who are embedded in every account.

Our core practices include consumer marketing, corporate communications, digital and social media, corporate social responsibility, healthcare, internal communications, multicultural marketing, technology and public affairs. 

Since 1956, GolinHarris has delivered results for clients such as McDonald's, Dow Chemical Company, Florida Department of Citrus, Kaiser Permanente, Nintendo of America Inc., Johnson and Johnson, Texas Instruments and Unilever. Recognized as PRWeek's 2010 Large PR Agency of the Year and 2009 Asia Pacific PR Consultancy of Year, GolinHarris was also named 2011 Best Large Agency to Work For by The Holmes Report and a Best Place to Work by Ad Age, the Los Angeles Business Journal, the Dallas Business Journal, The Sunday Times, Crain's New York, Chicago Tribune and the National Association of Business Resources. The agency has 36 offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, is headquartered in Chicago and is a subsidiary of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG).  For more information, visit www.golinharris.com.

About Nicole Weber Communications
Established in 1996, NICOLE WEBER communications is a public relations agency with a focus on consumer lifestyle marketing and communications. The agency is headquartered in Hamburg and has a second location in Munich. Areas of expertise includes fashion, beauty, automotive, consumer goods, retail, food and beverage and travel. For more information, visit http://www.nicoleweber.de/en/index.php

Media Contacts
US – Kathy Maiorana +1 312 729 4246 | [email protected]
UK – Jon Hughes +44 20 7067 0541

SOURCE Interpublic Group