CARAT BUYS INTEREST IN STRATEGEM
By Adnews Staff
Montreal-based Strategem has gone global. Carat of Montreal has bought a stake in the media agency. Carat is owned by Aegis plc of London, England, has $8 billion(US) in billings and has 65 offices in 31 countries. "Our company had reached a certain level of maturity in our existing market. In order to continue to develop and maintain our leadership, we felt that it was necessary to expand our horizons. Carat is the perfect springboard for our progress," Strategem president Jacques Dorion says in a release. "Globalization has its advantages and we feel it is important to be an integral part of the trend. Inevitably, being involved in a network means sharing methodologies and expertise. Adapting these methods to the Canadian market will allow us to offer our clients more and to contribute to their success." Dorion will remain as president of the company and will retain a 51% interest in Strategem. The agency name will become Carat Strategem. Strategem's client list includes: the National Bank of Canada, Chanel, Hydro-Quebec, RONA and Agora. Carat's major international clients include: American Express, Cadbury Schweppes, Chanel, Coca-Cola, Danone Group, Ferrero, Pernod Ricard, Philip Morris, Volkswagen and Walt Disney Co.