MRM Acquires Top Brazilian Agency E/OU

Award-Winning Sao Paulo Agency Furthers Digital and CRM Expertise

NEW YORK, Nov. 19, 2013 /CNW/ - MRM, a top global digital and direct agency within McCann Worldgroup, a unit of the Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE:IPG), has acquired the fast-growing, award-winning Brazilian agency E/OU. This acquisition, which will be called E/OU MRM, expands and strengthens MRM's current global footprint of 31 offices in 22 countries. MRM works with some of the world's leading brands, including General Motors, Nestle, Intel, Google, Zurich Financial Services, The Coca-Cola Company, Verizon, MasterCard and Johnson & Johnson. In Brazil MRM has clients such as Nestle, Nike and Regus.

MRM's President Michael Mclaren commented, "We are excited to be joining forces with E/OU in Brazil. E/OU delivers powerful core CRM and eCRM capabilities. With a stellar creative reputation and high-growth potential, E/OU fits well within MRM's global strengths and perfectly complements our current offerings across the network. They will help us deliver breakthrough solutions and memorable digital brand experiences to our clients in Brazil and across Latin America."

Eduardo Rodrigues, VP-Creative Director at E/OU, added, "At E/OU, we are aligned perfectly with the MRM perspective of living at the intersection of creativity, technology and performance. We are excited by the potential of this new relationship. Becoming a vital new part of MRM strengthens our position in Brazil and around the region, and expands our creative possibilities."

E/OU is the second investment by McCann Worldgroup in Brazil this year after Preview, an agency specializing in health and wellness communications. Pablo Walker, President, McCann Worldgroup Latin America & Caribbean, said, "We're confident the deal between MRM and E/OU in Brazil will further strengthen our commitment to providing clients with multiplatform creative and strategic ideas that help them break through the marketing clutter and build their brands, truly differentiating us in a highly competitive environment and further solidifying our leadership in Brazil."

E/OU MRM, which has about 80 employees, will continue to be led by its current key management, including Fabio Caldeira de Souza, COO and VP-Client Services; Eduardo Rodrigues, VP-Creative Director; and Eduardo Marino Soutello, VP-Planning & Research.

Established in 2003, E/OU is a fast-growing agency providing a range of digital, direct, relationship and CRM services. Its largest clients include GM, Santander, Qualicorp, BASF, Michelin, Universidade Metodista and AC Camargo. As an acclaimed Brazilian agency, E/OU has been honored with 4 Echo Awards, named ABEMD "Agency of The Year" in 2011, 2012 and 2013, has 18 trophies in AMAUTA, and has been recognized as one of the best communication companies to work in Brazil by Great Place to Work.

About MRM
MRM is a top global digital agency made up of a diverse collection of craftspeople focused on creativity, performance and technology. MRM offers a suite of capabilities including branding, strategy, relationship marketing, design, measurement & analytics, mobile, search, social, loyalty programs, platform & application development, system integration, engagement planning, asset production, & asset distribution. The agency has 31 offices in 22 countries and counts Bristol-Myers Squibb, General Mills, General Motors, Intel, Johnson & Johnson, Kraft, Nestle, U.S. ARMY, Verizon and Wells Fargo among its clients. MRM is a part of McCann Worldgroup, an Interpublic company. For more information, please visit www.mrmworldwide.com.

About McCann Worldgroup
McCann Worldgroup, part of Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG), is a leading global marketing company with 23,000 employees in more than 120 countries, comprising McCann Erickson (advertising), MRM (digital marketing/relationship management), Momentum (event marketing/promotion), McCann Health (professional/dtc communications), CRAFT (global adaptation and production), UM (media management), Weber Shandwick (public relations), and FutureBrand (consulting/design).

Contacts:
Sue R.E. Geramian
SVP, Global Brand Communications
T > [phone]
E > [email protected]

Erin Hughes
Manager, Global Brand Communications
T > [phone]
E > [email protected]

SOURCE: MRM

http://www.mrmworldwide.com