Interpublic Acquires Leading Digital Agency in the UK

CHICAGO, Jan. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) today announced it has acquired FUSE, a digital and interactive agency based in the UK, that will become part of GolinHarris network, one of its global communications agencies. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Established in 2004 by three former architecture students, FUSE blends the art of design with the power of technology to create unique and engaging digital experiences. The agency counts Unilever, Bissell, Tia Maria, Top Trumps and Dove among its clients. It has offices in London and San Francisco. FUSE will merge its employees and operations with GolinHarris' offices in London but will retain its name. Founders Doug Ayres, Simon Hobbs and Jon Meggitt will lead FUSE and report to Jonathan Hughes, president, GH International.

Harris Diamond, chief executive officer of Interpublic's Constituency Management Group, which includes GolinHarris, commented about the deal: "GolinHarris has been on a tremendous growth trajectory. The acquisition of FUSE enhances and complements its current digital and interactive capabilities."  

"This acquisition is a critical element of our strategy for the future," said Fred Cook, CEO of GolinHarris. "FUSE will significantly strengthen our digital, interactive and creative offerings. As the lines between PR, digital and advertising continue to blur, these added capabilities will allow us to deliver more fully integrated client campaigns that span earned, owned, shared and paid media."

"We've been enjoying great success in the last few years so it was going to take something pretty special to make us consider a change," said Jon Meggitt, FUSE co-founder. "Our visions for the future were also uncannily similar to Golin's when we first shared them with each other, and with their new g4 model it is clear that GolinHarris is leading the way."

Last June, GolinHarris announced a major organizational redesign to address the increasing influence of digital and social media in communications. The agency's new model, called g4, is built around four global teams of dedicated specialists - strategists, creators, catalysts and connectors – that are embedded in every client campaign and relationship.

"We are thrilled to have FUSE join Golin," said Jonathan Hughes, president, International. "We've been working with FUSE as a partner for quite a while. They've developed some of the most unique online user experiences we've seen, and they continue to push digital boundaries. They're incredibly creative, highly talented and fun to work with. We look forward to welcoming them to the GH family." 

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 one of Ad Age's 2012 Agencies to Watch. GolinHarris has also been named a 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 38 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 Fuse

Established in 2004 and based in London, Fuse is creative digital agency that designs and develops digital experiences for some of the world's biggest brands, including Unilever, Top Trumps, Bissell and Tia Maria, to name a few.  For more information, visit http://www.fuse.co.uk/.

Media Contacts
US
Kathy Maiorana +1 312 729 4246 | [email protected]

UK
Matt Neale +44 20 7067 0276 | [email protected]

SOURCE Interpublic Group