MILWAUKEE, Jan. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- GMR Marketing,
the global sports, entertainment, and lifestyle marketing agency,
has begun a merger with global sports marketing, event management,
and corporate hospitality agency SportsMark Management Group. The
worldwide merger will harness the agencies' collective B2B and B2C
proficiencies, bringing together GMR's strategic digital and
consumer engagement capabilities with SportsMark's global event
operation and hospitality experience.
The companies will continue to operate under their respective
names until the merger is complete, resulting in one of the most
significant sports and entertainment practices in the industry.
With a total of more than 20 offices in 10 countries worldwide, the
combined footprint across North
America, South America,
Europe, and APAC will run deeper
than ever.
"This is a merger of two of the most significant global sports
and entertainment agencies in the industry," said Gary Reynolds, GMR's CEO and Chairman. "As
one entity, we will offer our clients an unmatched combination of
strategic and operational resources with deep event marketing
experience and key relationships with global sports and
entertainment properties."
The combined entity will give global clients expanded resources
in the areas of strategy, consulting, digital/creative services,
events, promotions, field staffing, sponsorship activation and
corporate hospitality. The collective creative/design and
digital/social departments will deliver world-class strategies and
execution for clients across sports, entertainment, music, and
lifestyle passions.
"With an emphasis on broadening creative, digital, social and
mobile expertise and innovations, the GMR-SportsMark merger brings
our clients top industry talent, integrated B2C and B2B
capabilities, and efficiency gains across the board," commented
Jan Katzoff, Head of Global Sports
and Entertainment for the combined entity.
GMR and SportsMark have successfully collaborated on behalf of
numerous top-tier, global brands over the years. The
agencies' recent activations include managing over 20 sponsor
programs at the London 2012
Olympic Games, in addition to collectively planning events,
corporate hospitality, environmental design and production, product
showcasing, and digital/social platforms for 9 clients at the
upcoming Super Bowl XLVII in New
Orleans. Both GMR and SportsMark are members of Diversified
Agency Services within the Omnicom network.
"We look forward to delivering our clients an expanded,
comprehensive scope of integrated marketing, hospitality, and event
management capabilities in key markets around the globe, while
providing the same level of strategic customization and
best-in-class service that both SportsMark and GMR are known for,"
said Steve Skubic, SportsMark's
CEO.
To learn more about GMR Marketing, visit www.gmrmarketing.com.
For background on SportsMark, visit www.sportsmark.com.
Media Inquiries:
Jamie Hannah – GMR US
Director - Public Relations
Tel: +1 312-324-8998 / +1 414-232-5560
Email: jhannah@gmrmarketing.com
Web: www.gmrmarketing.com
About GMR Marketing
Founded in 1979, GMR Marketing
(www.gmrmarketing.com) is a global, full-service engagement
marketing agency that blends off-line and online marketing to
create branded experiences. GMR leverages the consumer passion
areas of sports, music, entertainment and lifestyle interests. GMR
is headquartered in Milwaukee,
with 20 offices in 10 countries. GMR has received numerous industry
accolades, including SportsBusiness Journal's 2009 "Sports Event
Marketing Firm of the Year" award and 2011 "Best In Corporate
Consulting, Marketing and Client Services. GMR is a part of
Diversified Agency Services, a division of Omnicom Group Inc.
About SportsMark Management Group
SportsMark
(www.sportsmark.com) is an award-winning global sports marketing,
event management, and corporate hospitality agency that uses the
live event as a marketing platform to strengthen and grow key
business-to-business relationships for their clients. For
nearly 25 years, SportsMark has been recognized for their strategic
focus, customized guest experiences, and deep knowledge and
relationships around the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, America's
Cup, Super Bowl, and other global properties. SportsMark is
headquartered in the San Francisco Bay
Area, with offices in London, São Paulo, and Moscow. SportsMark is a part of Diversified
Agency Services, a division of Omnicom Group Inc.
About Diversified Agency Services
Diversified Agency
Services (DAS), a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC)
(www.omnicomgroup.com), manages Omnicom's holdings in a variety of
marketing communications disciplines. DAS includes over 200
companies, which operate through a combination of networks and
regional organizations, serving international and local clients
through more than 700 offices in 71 countries.
About Omnicom Group Inc.
Omnicom Group Inc.
(www.omnicomgroup.com) is a leading global marketing and corporate
communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous
specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and
buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional
marketing, public relations and other specialty communications
services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.
SOURCE GMR Marketing