SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 26, 1999--
JDA Advertising, one of the fastest growing hi-tech marketing and communications agencies, today announced the Company's acquisition of The Hurst Group, a $15 million Salt Lake City agency.
The acquisition complements JDA's aggressive growth plans which have included the establishment of an Internet-marketing unit in Seattle and the opening of an office in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The Hurst Group is a fifteen year old agency founded by Mark Hurst, the highly respected advertising executive who has driven numerous award-winning advertising campaigns. The Hurst Group has provided advertising services to numerous industry leading technology clients including 3Com, Evans & Sutherland and Novell.
"We are committed to continuing our growth in the hi-tech marketplace," said Jim Johnson, JDA's Founder and CEO. "JDA's presence in Silicon Valley, Seattle, Washington D.C., Boston and now the acquisition of The Hurst Group, gives us greater service points and new capabilities for our clients."
"Both agencies share a similar passion for providing marketing tools for the Digital Economy," said Mark Hurst, former president of The Hurst Group. "JDA's orientation to integrated marketing is supported with strong capabilities in direct marketing, print advertising, multimedia, Internet, and design. JDA brings strong strategic planning and creative integrity to its work."
JDA's Cambridge, Massachusetts office, which opened in July, is headed by Kane Mosteller, formerly of J. Walter Thompson.
JDA's Internet marketing unit in Seattle, which opened in November of 1998, provides full-service, integrated programs that are essential in today's marketplace. The Seattle office is headed by high tech marketing veteran Greg Brown, formerly VP of Marketing for ShopNow.com, one of the Internet's largest shopping portals.
"The Internet is a vital part of the marketing mix and an integral aspect to nearly everything we do," said Greg Brown, Vice President and manager of the Seattle office. "We've hand-picked a talented team of experienced Web developers and designers. Our people have worked on such high profile sites as Dell, Caesars, Bank of America and The Gap."
"JDA has a natural alignment with technology companies because we have always taken an analytical approach, utilized tested advertising methods, and embraced technology," said Jim Johnson, JDA's Founder and CEO. "We're the only advertising agency I know that has four Ph.D.'s on staff, a powerful Sun server in our database marketing division, and Bang & Olafson pre-press equipment to meet the quick turnaround needs of technology companies."
About JDA
JDA was founded in 1986 by James H. Johnson. Dr. Johnson's unique background as a former university professor, clinical psychologist and software company entrepreneur shaped JDA's strategy of utilizing tested advertising methods, analytical techniques and use of technology in advertising. JDA has worked on some of the most successful marketing initiatives in the technology marketplace for companies such as @Home Networks, Avid Technology, Evans & Sutherland, Fujitsu, IBM, MindSpring, Novell, Red Hat Software and many others. Today, JDA employs over 50 people in six locations. JDA reported 1998 capitalized billings in excess of $45 million and anticipates more than 50 percent year over year growth for 1999.
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