Merkle inc, a large ad agency, has recently announced that it is acquiring the search agency RKG. This purchase will make the combined company the largest independent search agency in the United States, according to a comment from Merkle Inc.
Executive Vice President and Digital Agency Group Leader, Craig Dempster, said “RKG represents the best of breed in search, display, social and other digital media marketing solutions, and we are delighted to have them join the Merkle family.”
The RKG portfolio of clients includes more top 500 internet retailers than any other agency, which will add to Merkle’s already impressive list of clients. In addition, RKG has deep penetration into retail and other key markets where Merkle was lacking.
The combined media billings for 2014 are estimated at over $500 million. The specific financial terms of the acquisition have not been released at this point.
The combined strength of these two companies is quite impressive; with both of them listed in the fastest-growing independent US search agencies in 2014, according to Advertising Age. Merkle’s digital ad business alone enjoyed a 40% revenue spike last year
What changes clients will see from either company are not yet known, but it seems clear that their combined marketing power will help everyone involved.
