GrowthOps Australia enters voluntary administration
GrowthOps Australia, the marketing and technology group formed through an eight-way merger in late 2017, has entered voluntary administration.
The company, which acquired several agencies including AJF Partnerships, 3wks, and Voodoo Creative, has appointed Katherine Sozou and Damien Pasfield of McGrathNicol as liquidators.
The company's directors have decided to voluntarily wind up GrowthOps Services Pty Ltd, initiating a process to close the business and settle its debts. The Australian arm’s website is currently down, and 18 employees in the Brisbane office were let go without notice.
In its most recent filings, GrowthOps reported a 7.8% drop in revenue to $72.6 million for the year ending June 2023, alongside a statutory loss before income tax of $5.2 million.
The company has worked with clients such as Target, Unilever’s Dove, and the University of Queensland, but has seen shifts in its agency lineup, with AJF absorbed into Khemistry and key staff moves, including Khemistry’s Susan Lyons joining EssenceMediacom.
GrowthOps Asia remains unaffected, operating separately from the Australian business in terms of management and client services.
Brunner acquires Rakuten’s Performance Solutions group
Brunner has acquired the Performance Solutions group from Rakuten Advertising, bolstering its capabilities in paid search, programmatic planning, and data science.
The deal brings key talent into Brunner’s fold and positions the agency for more robust growth in retail and e-commerce.
As part of the agreement, Brunner also becomes Rakuten’s performance solutions partner, offering extended digital services to clients across both portfolios. Rakuten cited cultural alignment and continuity for existing clients as top priorities.
The move strengthens Brunner’s integrated marketing offer while allowing Rakuten to focus on expanding affiliate services with added strategic support from its new partner.
Axel Springer explores potential Awin sale
Axel Springer is exploring a potential sale of its affiliate marketing network Awin, with a reported valuation of around €400 million.
The move follows a broader corporate restructuring agreed last year between CEO Mathias Doepfner, KKR, and the Springer family.
It’s been speculated that Awin, which works with over 1 million publishers and 30,000 advertisers globally, could attract interest from private equity firms or even other affiliate networks.
Banks have been invited to pitch for advisory roles. The sale would mark a significant shift in Axel Springer’s portfolio as it refocuses on its core media assets, including Politico and Bild.
Publicis Groupe acquires Lotame to enhance data capabilities
Publicis Groupe has acquired Lotame, a leading data company, to integrate into its Epsilon platform.
The deal strengthens Publicis’ first-party data capabilities, extending its reach to 91% of adult internet users globally and 4 billion customer profiles.
Lotame’s identity-based data solutions, including its proprietary identity system with 1.6 billion unique IDs, will bolster Publicis’ AI-driven marketing efforts, particularly in APAC and EMEA.
Lotame’s 150 employees will join Publicis, maintaining service to its 4,000 clients. Publicis has allocated up to $900 million for M&A in 2025, focusing on data, digital media, and AI innovation.
WPP acquires InfoSum to enhance data-driven marketing
WPP has acquired InfoSum, a leading data collaboration platform, integrating it into GroupM.
The deal strengthens WPP’s AI-driven marketing capabilities, providing clients access to vast, privacy-safe data for audience targeting, marketing intelligence, and AI model training.
InfoSum’s cross-cloud technology enables companies to connect data sources securely without exposing data.
The acquisition accelerates WPP’s “Intelligence Beyond Identity” initiative, offering clients greater control over their first-party data while enhancing AI capabilities.
InfoSum’s global data network includes major media platforms and top data partners, positioning WPP to lead in AI-powered marketing innovation.
Ziff Davis acquires TheSkimm
Ziff Davis has acquired TheSkimm, integrating the lifestyle media brand into its Everyday Health Group portfolio.
TheSkimm will remain a standalone brand, led by co-founders Danielle Weisberg and Carly Zakin, with its editorial team and structure intact.
Known for its reach among millennial and Gen X women, TheSkimm adds a loyal and engaged readership of five million to Ziff Davis’ health and wellness ecosystem.
The acquisition reflects a broader push to strengthen audience engagement across lifestyle and health categories, with both parties citing strong alignment on mission and market. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Brave Bison acquires Builtvisible to strengthen SEO and AI-driven search offerings
Brave Bison has acquired Builtvisible, an independent SEO, content strategy, and digital PR agency.
Established in 2009, Builtvisible serves high-profile clients in retail, travel, and finance, including Icelandair and Aviva.
The acquisition will integrate Builtvisible into Brave Bison’s Performance and Commerce practice, positioning the company to lead innovation in generative AI-powered search.
Builtvisible’s leadership, including CEO Geoff Griffiths and COO Rebecca Brown, will join Brave Bison’s team.
This acquisition follows Brave Bison’s recent purchase of Engage Digital Partners and aligns with its strategy to offer cutting-edge solutions at the intersection of social, search, and AI.
Ipsos enters exclusive negotiations to acquire The BVA Family
Ipsos has entered exclusive talks to acquire The BVA Family, a French market research group known for its expertise in packaging testing, customer experience, and public service research.
With a strong presence in the UK and Italy, The BVA Family operates under brands such as BVA, Doxa, and PRS IN VIVO.
The acquisition expands Ipsos' footprint in Europe, particularly in France, while strengthening its research capabilities in services, luxury, and behavioral sciences.
Ipsos CEO Ben Page highlighted the acquisition as a key step towards fostering growth and innovation in the market research sector.
Dunelm reviews creative account, Modern Citizens seeks to retain
Dunelm has initiated a review of its creative account, currently held by Modern Citizens, the agency formed by the merger of Creature London, Positive UK, and Positive Netherlands in September 2024. Modern Citizens, which has worked with the home furnishings retailer since 2021, confirmed it is repitching to retain the account.
Stu Outhwaite-Noel and Ben Middleton, co-founders of Creature London, now serve as co-chief creative officers of Modern Citizens. A spokesperson for the agency expressed excitement about the opportunity, stating, “We love working with the Dunelm gang and we're nothing but excited at the opportunity to continue taking them to the next level.”
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