DRAFTWORLDWIDE EXPANDS DATABASE SERVICES INTERNATIONALLY
By Adnews Staff
DraftWorldwide of Chicago is expanding its database capabilities beyond the borders of the U.S. with the acquisition of Symphony Direct Communications, a database marketing consultancy based in Oxford, England. The acquisition is part of the global marketing agency's expansion plans to supplement its database services in the U.S. DraftWorldwide's Data Technology Services, based in Chicago and New York, provides marketing technology services for many of the agency's U.S. clients. The acquisition of Symphony Direct Communications is designed to strengthen DraftWorldwide's database marketing services in the UK. Symphony's client roster includes: Bank of Scotland, Compaq and The Crystal Sprint Water Company. Symphony will be merged into DraftWorldwide's office in Oxford to create a division called Marketing Technologies. Mike Housley, currently managing director of Symphony Direct, will become managing director of the Marketing Technologies division. DraftWorldwide is a unit of The Interpublic Group of Companies Inc.