IPG Mediabrands to Acquire Canadian Media Planning and Buying Agency, Media Experts

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct. 28, 2015) - IPG Mediabrands, the media and communications arm of Interpublic Group (NYSE:IPG), announced today that it plans to acquire a majority interest in the Canadian media planning and buying agency Media Experts.

Mark Sherman, the Founder, Owner and CEO of Media Experts will continue in his role leading the company with his executive team and its 150 employees. Media Experts will be an autonomous business unit under Sherman, who also joins the senior management team in Canada led by Harvey Carroll, CEO Canada, IPG Mediabrands.

Media Experts will continue to service clients in the areas of media planning and buying, search engine optimization, search engine marketing and programmatic trading. The company's roster of clients includes leading Canadian and global brands.

Sherman founded Media Experts in 1981 in Montreal and has grown the business to include offices in Toronto and Vancouver.

PALAZZO served as financial advisor to Media Experts in this transaction. Terms of the transaction are not being released.

Henry Tajer, CEO IPG Mediabrands: "Media Experts enhances the Mediabrands presence in Canada, which is one of our top-three markets. Media Experts adds depth and breadth to our existing offering. Mark and his team complement the existing team and capabilities we have in Canada which will enable us to continue and grow our remit with our clients and future clients in Canada."

Harvey Carroll, CEO Canada, IPG Mediabrands: "We're excited to have Mark and his people join the Mediabrands family. We're like-minded in the entrepreneurial approach we take to serve the needs of our clients. Our cultures mesh well together, which will mean business as usual for our employees and clients. Going forward, we're also delighted to have a much stronger strategic presence in Quebec and British Columbia."

Mark Sherman, CEO of Media Experts: "The cultural fit was there from the beginning, which made it easy to say 'yes' to this new partnership. Our customers and clients will benefit immediately, as we'll have access to innovative new technology, resources and expertise from a global perspective. I'm excited because we're going to learn from each other as this relationship grows. Our employees will have access to training and professional development resources that are second to none."

About IPG Mediabrands

Founded by Interpublic Group (NYSE:IPG) in 2007 to manage all of its global media-related assets, IPG Mediabrands manages and invests $37 billion in global media on the behalf of its clients, employs over 8,500 diverse and daring marketing communication specialists worldwide and operate our company businesses in more than 127 countries.

A proven entity in helping clients maximize business results through integrated, intelligence-driven marketing strategies, IPG Mediabrands is committed to driving automated buying, pay-for-performance and digital innovation solutions. In Canada, IPG Mediabrands is represented by UM, Initiative, m2, Reprise, Orion, Cadreon, Magna - and now, Media Experts.