Hyper Marketing Inc. Acquires Dublin-Based Acorn

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - Sep 28, 2012) - Hyper Marketing Inc. (HMI) announced today it has acquired Dublin-based Acorn, a full-service integrated marketing agency. The acquisition allows HMI to begin serving its global client partners in Europe through Acorn's pan-European network. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"Our agile network and focus on marketing that drives profitable transactions, while building brand value, have clearly resonated with marketers in the U.S.," said Hyper Marketing CEO Zain Raj. "Now we are taking this approach to Europe to continue serving our global brand partners."

The Dublin agency, which will continue to do business under the Acorn moniker, will partner with the other marketing-services firms in the Hyper network. Acorn's management team, led by CEO Phil Cottier and Managing Director Estelle Gorby will lead the business. The network plans to open additional offices in London, Brussels and Geneva in the next two years. As such, the number of Acorn employees is expected to double from over 50 today to about 100 people in the next two years. Hyper Marketing currently has 1,100 employees in 23 American offices.

"We have grown this business aggressively over the past two years by delivering cutting edge creativity with a strong focus on measurable results -- this is what clients expect and what we deliver on," said Cottier, who was born and raised in London and now calls Dublin home. "Our success has allowed us to expand beyond the Dublin market and work on a pan-European basis. With the backing of Hyper Marketing, our expansion can continue at a quicker pace."

Acorn was founded in 2006 by Frank McCaughey, who now serves as non-executive chairman. Cottier joined the business from Publicis UK in 2011 and has spearheaded the growth of the business into new markets. Gorby has been with the agency since inception.

Acorn has developed award-winning campaigns via TV, print, online, direct marketing and outdoor channels for clients including Google, Dell, 123.ie, RSA, Bank of Ireland, Molson Canadian and Windsor Motors. It has been named "Agency of the Year" for the past two years (2012 and 2011) by An Post Integrated Direct Marketing Awards, one of the most prestigious marketing industry awards in Ireland.

About Hyper Marketing Inc.:
Hyper Marketing is the largest independent marketing-services network in North America. The company has 1,100 employees in 23 offices, with expertise in digital, direct, data, promotions, shopper marketing, Hispanic, and media buying and planning. HMI focuses on driving transactions by responding to changing consumer behavior in a hyper-connected world. HMI companies partner with CMO's of many of the world's best known brands including AT&T, Dell, eBay, Kellogg's, Office Depot, The Home Depot and Unilever to develop integrated programs that deliver profitable results. For more information visit www.hypermarketinginc.com.

Chief Executive Officer of Hyper Marketing, Zain Raj is the best-selling author of "Brand Rituals: How Successful Brands Bond with Customers for Life," a new approach to building brands in today's digitally-led environment. He is a sought-after speaker on the changing marketing landscape, espousing the view that marketing needs to change people's behavior, not just attitudes, and that brands need to build bonded relationships with their core customers. He is a frequent contributor and featured in several publications including the Wall Street Journal, Business Week, and Fast Company.

About Acorn:
Acorn is a full-service creative marketing agency and was founded in 2006 by Chairman Frank McCaughey. The agency is headed up by Phil Cottier, CEO and Estelle Gorby, MD and employs 53 people. Clients include Google, Dell, 123.ie, RSA, Bank of Ireland, Molson Canadian, DAA, PPP, Hello.ie, Threshold, Gorta and Windsor Motors.