WASHINGTON: WPP has acquired public affairs shop Quinn Gillespie & Associates (QGA), according to a statement from the holding company. QGA employs 25 people and had revenues of $12.5 million and net assets of $2.5 million for the 2002 calendar year, according to the WPP statement. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed.
Known for high-profile work that cuts across political divides and a client roster that includes Hewlett-Packard, Sony, and Coca-Cola, QGA has long been a desired target. A year ago, an attempt by WPP rival Omnicom to make QGA a part of its Fleishman-Hillard unit fell through during late-stage negotiations.
The firm was founded by Ed Gillespie who, though still a partner, is now working as chairman of the Republican National Committee, and Jack Quinn, who held several high-ranking positions in the Clinton Administration.
