WPP has announced the acquisition of US strategic research and polling consultancy Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, known for its work on Bill Clinton’s successful 1996 re-election campaign. The company had revenues of $31.4 million in 2000 and net assets of $4.3 million as at 31 December 2000.
Commenting on the acquisition, Howard Paster, CEO of WPP agency Hill and Knowlton, said, “Penn, Schoen and Berland has been successful in taking the research skills originally applied in the political arena and adapting them to corporate issues including brand identification and enhancement, issues management and executive positioning. PS&B brings to WPP a strategic consultancy with a built-in research capability. As such it should integrate well with a range of existing WPP capabilities”
Mark Penn commented, “We believe that working together with WPP we will achieve tremendous growth, and be able to bring our skills and methods to a broader array of clients and important situations worldwide. We will continue to offer a unique blend of corporate and political services, enabling us to take the best practices from each and meld them into winning campaigns of all types.”
In a statement issued on Friday WPP stated that the acquisition of PS&B “continues WPPÂ’s strategy of expanding its comprehensive offer to clients in important growth sectors and markets.”
