NEW YORK: Ogilvy PR Worldwide has doubled its hi-tech fee income by
acquiring US hi-tech agency Alexander Communications.
Both Ogilvy and Alexander had a hi-tech income of around pounds 6
million in 1997. The acquisition would boost Ogilvy to seventh place in
O’Dwyer’s full-service PR agency rankings for 1997, which exclude Hill
and Knowlton.
Together with 160-strong Alexander, Ogilvy will now employ 660
people.
Its income combined with Alexander for 1997 is pounds 38 million.
Alexander, whose clients include computer products and services giant
Hewlett-Packard, and telecom firm Nortel, will operate as an autonomous
company and be known as Alexander Ogilvy PR Worldwide.
Ogilvy has been looking to boost its hi-tech practice for some time and
is understood to have held talks with some of the largest US hi-tech
firms, including Cunningham Communications. Ogilvy Alexander will
continue to be run by founder and CEO Pam Alexander, who will report
directly to Ogilvy president and CEO Bob Seltzer.
Seltzer said that having two brands would help Ogilvy avoid conflicts of
interest in a growing market.
