DRAFT BUYS GINGKO
By Adnews Staff
Draft Worldwide of Chicago has moved into the Canadian market. The agency has bought the Gingko Group of Toronto, and Gingko Direct, the agency's direct marketing division. Draft specializes in brand building, direct and promotional marketing. Gingko specializes in general advertising, direct and healthcare marketing. Under the deal, Gingko will act as an independent agency. Gingko co-chairmen Irvin Lebovits and Perry Miele will remain in their current positions. The purchase will give Gingko access to Draft's resources through its network of 44 offices around the world. "Our union with Draft Worldwide marks a significant and very positive step in the evolution of Gingko," Lebovits says in a release. "This move strengthens Gingko's competitive advantage, with all of Draft's integrated resources at our disposal to deliver results to today's advertiser. In particular, our clients will benefit from Draft Worldwide's advanced direct response technologies, field marketing capabilities and sales promotion expertise."
"We are excited about the opportunities the acquisition of Gingko offers Draft Worldwide," Draft president and COO Jordan Rednor says in a release. "Canada represents an important new market for us, and our presence there through Gingko opens the door to multinational efforts in cooperation with other Draft Worldwide offices." Draft is a unit of The Interpublic Group of Companies.