The DAS Group of Companies, a unit of Omnicom Group Inc. (OMC), acquired Washington, D.C.-based firm DDC Advocacy, a dominant player in the global public affairs and grassroots communications space. The financial details of the deal were kept under wraps.
DDC Advocacy executes advocacy campaigns for leading corporations, business alliances, trade associations and non-profit organizations. The data-driven consulting firm draws on highly relevant data for targeting and campaign activation.
DDC Advocacy uses leading-edge technology and data through its proprietary Constituent Relationship Management (“CRM”) platform – Democracy Direct.
The company’s expertise covers a wide range of vital functions, from strategic planning and media buying and market research to SaaS (Software as a Service)-based CRM and marketing automation platforms. It also offers integrated campaign-style services, and covers experiential events, paid and earned media, and constituent outreach programs.
Its Democracy Direct platform leverages data-driven insights to carry out campaign-style advocacy programs to enable clients to attain business and policy goals. The data insights platform will further reinforce Omnicom's technologically-supported advocacy faculties. DDC Advocacy’s services will be offered across Omnicom’s companies.
The buyout is in accordance with Omnicom's strategy to employ and leverage data and insights across the board in order to accomplish the best possible results for its clients and their brands.
Ever since the collapse of its much-publicized mega-merger with French advertising giant Publicis Groupe SA (PUBGY), which would have helped them overtake WPP plc (WPPGY) as the world’s largest advertising company, Omnicom has been cautious about its acquisition strategy. The company has spent around $1 billion in acquisitions whereas Publicis’ recent purchase of Sapient Corp. (SAPE) drives its acquisition spend to over $12 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
It appears that shareholders are favoring Omnicom’s prudent and judicious strategy over its French rival’s aggressive growth plans. Since May 8, when the merger was formally cancelled, Omnicom’ shares have climbed 18.4%, while Publicis shares have declined 11.5% over the same time frame.
Omnicom presently sports a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
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