Lbi snatches digital agency special ops media

LBi International, based in Europe, acquired digital agency Special Ops Media in a deal worth as much as $45 1000000 dollars, the agencies announced yesterday.

The acquisition is part of the digital marketing agency's plan to addition its presence in the United States. The deal conversely allows the New York City-based Special Ops to gain a bridgehead overseas.

Special Ops principals said the deal will be valued between $25 1000000 and $45 1000000, depending on whether the federal agency meets certain targets. With 64 employees, six-year-old Special Ops had $22 1000000 in gross sales in 2007 and over $10 1000000 in net sales. The federal agency had $4 1000000 in net income before involvement and taxes.

"Being one of the few remaining independent digital agencies, we were very selective in who we talked to," said Special Ops co-CEO Christian antony. "What we liked in part about LBi is their global strategy and their electric current global place. They are all about best in class service in Europe, whereas we've done the same thing in the U.S. It's a nice convergence of scheme."

Special Ops will continue to mathematical function as a standalone unit, with both antony and co-CEO Jason Klein continuing in their place. Anthony said that an convergence in clients between the two entities amounted to few, if any.

Special Ops launched in 2002 with an accent on amusement, and maintains relationships with many of those clients today, including Viacom, Lionsgate Entertainment, and universal joint Music Group. It has also worked with Coca-Cola, Scholastic, and Citigroup.

Other recent LBi acquisitions include interactive agency Creative Digital Group in capital of Georgia and Syrup of New York.

In a statement, LBi CEO Luke Deems Taylor cited Special Ops' expertness in sociable media selling and online PR as strong complements to his company's current offerings. "In the strategic roadmap, released earlier this year, we communicated our purpose to extend and deepen our service offer in the United States," he said. "The acquisition of Special Ops perfectly delivers on this ambition and adds a best in class strategic marketing and media capability to our U.S. Business.