Marketpinion News

In these fractious and partisan times it’s interesting how U.S. politicians of all stripes are eager to distance themselves from their chosen profession. Democrats and Republicans alike, no matter their actual tenure, are all suddenly Washington “outsiders.” And in the Age of Trump, many have also developed a newly found appreciation for how businesses are run, and think government could learn a trick or two from corporate America. We don’t need a President, they seem to be saying, we need a...

The trend of management consulting firms buying their way into the agency world continues to accelerate, with digital and technology-focused firms being on the top of their lists. Overall, agency acquisitions seem to have slowed compared to the same period last year, although the market is still very healthy.

Here’s some recent deals we noted:

• Bain and Co. moved ahead with the acquisition of FRWD...

The agency world continues to undergo structural changes, and this is reflected in a continued acceleration in agency M&A activity. We’re seeing a growth in non-traditional deals – for example, from the consulting industry – as well as continued interest in digital agencies with specific, niche skills and capabilities.

Here’s our summary of recent deals:

• Accenture Interactive liked the sound of Meredith...

It doesn’t matter where you live – the U.S., Colombia, France, South Korea or the U.K. – your elections have been manipulated by Russia.

The U.S. is getting most media attention, but Russian efforts to change the outcome of elections is pervasive. The primary tools they use are social media, fomenting discord, fake news and inciting voters over one or other candidate that favors Russian interests.

Agencies profess an expertise in this world – they advise clients on social media...