Steve’s breakdown: Regal operates 3 cinema brands including Regal Cinemas, United Artists Theatres and Edwards Theatres. Hollywood Theaters would be the forth and should be getting a new marketing push.
KNOXVILLE, TN: Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC), a leading motion picture exhibitor owning and operating the largest theatre circu [...]
Posts in category News: Acquisitions
Regal premieres new brand: Hollywood Theaters
Steve’s breakdown: Regal operates 3 cinema brands including Regal Cinemas, United Artists Theatres and Edwards Theatres. Hollywood Theaters would be the forth and should be getting a new marketing push.
KNOXVILLE, TN: Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC), a leading motion picture exhibitor owning and operating the largest theatre circu [...]
Office Depot merger with Office Max = opportunity
Steve’s breakdown: Clearly, this is a big deal but it goes beyond Office Depot and Max. How about marketing reactions from:
Staples, Inc. - Ikon Office Solutions, Inc. - United Stationers Inc.
Vistaprint USA, Inc. - FedEx Office - Red Thread - Best Buy Co., Inc.
And to a lesser extent:
RadioShack Corporation – The Target Corporati [...]
Liberty Bank deposits Covenant Bank
Steve’s breakdown: After growing into markets like Detroit, Kansas City, Mo., Kansas City, Kan, Jackson, Miss. and Houston, Liberty takes on Chicago. Not a huge bank but one that’s growing and is the 3rd largest African-American-owned bank in the country.
NEW ORLEANS, LA: Liberty Bank and Trust Co. of New Orleans has entered the [...]
New lease on life with Corona
Steve’s breakdown: The shake out from the AB InBev and Grupo Modelo merger is happening. The first ad account to drop, Corona. It looks as if Crown Imports could be the big winner so when it happens, be ready to congratulate Bill Hackett.
We suspect there will be a review of just about everything.
CHICAGO, IL: Nearly 30 years after Bil [...]
Trump Plaza folds: New Owner by May
Steve’s breakdown: This is a bargain basement price and we all hope they’ll spend those savings on a new brand launch and advertising.
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ: Trump Plaza, the Boardwalk centerpiece of Donald Trump’s one-time Atlantic City empire, was sold Thursday to a California company for $20 million in the cheapest of a series of b [...]
Want fries with that: Heinz bought
Steve’s breakdown: Like we said about Dell going private, now Heinz won’t have to deal with stockholders and will be free to innovate. New product account launches are possible as well as an entire account review.
PITTSBURGH, PA: H.J. Heinz, the food giant, says it has agreed to be taken private by Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capita [...]
Luxco account review prediction pushes us to launch: Bizometer™
Steve’s breakdown: After years of predicting account reviews, we’ve come up with a visual to help communicate our predicted probability of an account review.
The Bizometer (Bi-zom-e-ter)
The vertical black line shows the level of the new business opportunity.
We’ve got Luxco clearly In-The-Red today because:
1) On January 2 [...]
After 2 years with AOL, About.Me is independent
Steve’s breakdown: Earlier this week, I got the letter posted below from About.me. Two years ago they were bought by AOL and now they’ve independent once again. It sounds like they have backers, cash and a renewed life. Sounds like a good time for an ad campaign.
The feature screenshot is from my About.me page. You should get one. [...]
New Star Wars business to Pitch
Steve’s breakdown: One of my sweetest account wins was snatching Star Wars: Phantom Menace away from the entire Hasbro agency roster while at Posnick & Kolker. Now with Disney as the future owner, the brand and all the licensing is up in the air.
Oh – and did we mention, they are going to produce NEW movies!!!
SAN FRANCISCO, [...]
Sega gobbles Relic
Steve’s breakdown: Sega’s has some deep pockets and we suspect they’ll be putting them to use to market the properties of Relic.
SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON & TOKYO: SEGA Corporation acquired all of shares of THQ Canada Inc. and some IPs owned by THQ Inc., a parent company of THQ Canada on January 24, 2013 in order to fur [...]
Peer Foods buys Emge Brands
Steve’s breakdown: The Emge 100 year old brand is on dozens of trusted meats, cheeses and breads. They also own the Hill Billy brand and both deserve a marketing boost after this acquisition.
CHICAGO, IL: Peer Foods Group, Inc. announced today it has acquired Emge Foods, LLC, a historic Indiana-based meat company specializing in retail- [...]
Atlantic Club, Atlantic City is on the block
Steve’s breakdown: I still have high hopes for internet gambling in New Jeresy but I don’t think it should matter either way in regards to this proposed purchase. They’ve got millions to spend and you should want your cut to do their branding – - which is awful. PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker are the buyers other bra [...]
St Germain pours into Miami
Steve’s breakdown: It’s time for your yearly call to Bacardi to congratulate them for yet another purchase. This is a sexy one too and we suspect the coming ad campaign will be the same.
MIAMI, FL: Bacardi is all set to purchase St Germain liqueur brand from Cooper Spirits International, a New York-based independent and privately [...]
Sanofi buys Rolaids from J&J
Steve’s breakdown: Sanofi now needs to relaunch Rolaids since it hasn’t been on the selves for 2 years. Need I say more.
BRIDGEWATER, NJ: Rolaids is an iconic brand of antacid tablets, but it hasn’t been produced since 2010 and has now been sold twice in six years.
Johnson & Johnson, which paid $16.6 billion to Pfizer [...]
Krispy Kreme & Jamba Juice look tasty for take overs
Steve’s breakdown: We are way in front of these two. Both would, no doubt, go into an advertising review if they are bought. Keep’em on the radar. Check out the video report on Bloomberg here.
WINSTON-SALEM, NC & EMERYVILLE, CA: Following the biggest surge in takeovers of restaurant and coffee companies since the last recessio [...]
Wheel chair companies merge
Steve’s breakdown: We happen to know they will not announce the name of this new merged company for a couple of months. Let that be a hint to get in there and take over the entire account.
HAZELWOOD, MI & RCOKY HILL, CT: ATG Rehab (ATG) and United Seating & Mobility (USM) announced today a merger of equals. The combination bring [...]
Prediction: Skippy & Spam Sandwich?
Steve’s breakdown: Hopefully you were ready for this back in October with the headline “Unilever puts the “For Sale” sign up for Skippy“. We think this is a great buy and suspect they will breathe some new life into marketing.
AUSTIN, MN: Hormel Foods apparently has a hankering for a peanut butter and bacon sandwich. The com [...]
Al Jazeera buying Current TV = New Business
Steve’s breakdown: Back in February of 2011 we published an op-ed piece headlined with “The USA, Al Jazeera and New Business“. Back then we talked about the opportunities of marketing to Muslims the same way this country markets to Latinos. This move brings that reality even closer but we’ve adjusted our thinking. Don [...]
Avis picks-up Zipcar
UPDATE: A spokesman at Zipcar is now saying there is an ad review happening right now that was left over from last year. But we’re not buying it yet. We suspect there’s still confusion on the marketing side. My advice is to get in there so they know your brand but don’t be surprised if they’re cagey.
Steve’s brea [...]
SOLD: New York Stock Exchange
Steve’s breakdown: We had the New York Stock Exchange account back in the 90s at Margeotes. It was mostly print but we suspect there is a boat load of digital now. PR will also be a good pitch if you’re interested.
NEW YORK, NY: The New York Stock Exchange is being sold to a rival exchange for about $8 billion, ending more than tw [...]
Account Review Prediction: Founder buys back Aman Resorts
Steve’s breakdown: There are 26 resorts/brands including 2 in the United States. And since this is the founder buying back these resorts, we suspect he’s going to clean house. And that means a advertising review of some kind.
SINGAPORE: Ownership of ultra-luxury Amanresorts is set to return to its founder, Adrian Zecha, as DLF ann [...]
Account Review Prediction: 3 gun brands are up for sale
Steve’s breakdown: I know we talked about this yesterday when we reported “Gun stocks are down: PR will be needed” but the story moves forward.
Three brands owned by Cerberus Capital Management are up for sale. They include: Bushmaster in Madison, NC, DPMS in St. Cloud, MN, and Remington Arms also in Madison, NC.
MADISON, NC [...]
Caribou Coffee gets bagged by new owner
Steve’s breakdown: New owners are usually good or bad for advertising. Be ready either way. FYI: Caribou, founded in 1992, had 610 coffeehouses, including 202 franchised locations, in 22 states, the District of Columbia, and ten international markets, as of Sept. 30.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN: A German holding company is buying Caribou Coffee (C [...]
LittleMissMatched sells trademark
Steve’s breakdown: Once you’ve bought a trademark there’s only thing left to do. ADVERTISE!
NEW YORK, NY: Delta Galil USA, the U.S.-based subsidiary of Delta Galil Industries, Ltd. (DELT/Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, DELTY.PK/OTCQX), the global manufacturer and marketer of branded and private label apparel products for men, women [...]
Does Baxter’s $4 billion purchase signal review?
Steve’s breakdown: This account has been with the same agency since 1998 and this big purchase could be just the thing to rattle it into review.
DEERFIELD, IL: Healthcare products maker Baxter International Inc. said on Tuesday that it would buy privately held Swedish dialysis product company Gambro AB for about $4 billion to expand its [...]
Milking Leads out of Dallas: Dean Foods
Steve’s breakdown: Dean Foods, an account I have pitched and won while at Long Advertising, is in the midths of dismantling itself. That means everytime they sell off a slice, that’s a Lead. Here’s the latest.
MONTREAL, Canada & DALLAS, TX: Canada’s largest dairy processor will increase its U.S.presence by buying Dean Fo [...]
What’s up ConAgra’s sleeve?
Steve’s breakdown: They are not talking about what the real plan is with the Ralcorp acquisition. Not only do we think this move is a competition killer, it could be a new way to launch a number of new brands. And that means new advertising accounts might be in play.
OMAHA, NE: Private-label foods have hit a “glass ceiling,” [...]
Apollo Global’s latest purchase
Steve’s breakdown: Well, Apollo Global is at it again; snapping up the educational business from McGraw. This would represent a relatively small ad account in their portfolio but if it’s in your wheelhouse, go for it because there are 10 more accounts sitting over there.
Among the most notable companies currently owned by Apollo a [...]
Service King seeks to be #1: Agency?
Steve’s breakdown: Back in August, Service King was bought by the Carlyle Group. We didn’t cover story because no one knew what the plan was. Well, now we do. Be #1 and that’s going to need marketing and as far as we can tell, no ad agency is on the case.
DALLAS, TX: A Texas twang still echoes through the halls at Service K [...]
Cole Haan splits with Nike
Steve’s breakdown: We had this account while I was at Margeotes|Fertitta+Partners. The phrase granola-eating-garmentos comes to mind. It’s still a great brand so go get it.
BEAVERTON, OR: NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) announced today it has reached a definitive agreement to sell its Cole Haan affiliate brand to Apax Partners for $570 mil [...]
Jamaica Rums have new Owner
Steve’s breakdown: Appleton is a big brand that should be much bigger in the United States. Maybe you can convince the new owners you’re the agency to do just that?
KINGSTON Jamaica: Italian drinks giant Gruppo Campari has made a tender offer of $414.8m to buy 100% of the issued shares of Lascelles deMercado (LdM), a Jamaica-based [...]
eDiets.com gets bought
Steve’s breakdown: This winter we reported “New Boss at eDiets: Does that Mean new Ad Agency?” Now with this news, there’s an even a bigger chance of an ad review.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL: eDiets.com, Inc. (OTCBB: DIET), a provider of convenient at-home diet, fitness and healthy lifestyle solutions, today announced that it [...]
Bought: InTown Suites finds a new home
Steve’s breakdown: 18,000 rooms in 21 states could be a nice regional account. It all depends on Starwood which has not decided whether to rebrand the chain.
GREENWICH, CT: Starwood Capital Group bought the InTown Suites extended-stay hotel chain on Monday for US$735 million, including US$617 million in existing debt.
Starwood Capital G [...]
New Roots: Ancestry.com to be sold
Steve’s breakdown: Many of the same people will be running things at Ancestry.com but we expect the new owners to bump it up a notch. Which means an advertising review of some kind.
PROVO, UT: Genealogy website Ancestry.com has agreed to be acquired by a group led by European private equity firm Permira Funds in a cash deal valued at a [...]
FoodLink finds the final link: Now let’s get advertising
Steve’s breakdown: This is the future of food; from farmer to fork. We expect big growth for FoodLink and a smart marketing plan will make that happen.
LOS GATOS, CA: FoodLink®, the buying platform that connects fresh food retailers and wholesalers to a network of over 2,000 supplier companies, today announced a definitive agreement to [...]
Goodfellow Bros plans new growth with acquisition
Steve’s breakdown: Fuhgettaboutit! Actually, these Goodfellows aren’t even Italian. But this Top Grade Construction acquisition promises new growth potential throughout the Northwest. Could be a nice local account.
LIVERMORE, CA: Top Grade Construction, Inc., a premier general engineering contractor, and Goodfellow Bros., Inc., [...]
5 Greek resorts have new owner in Vagas
Steve’s breakdown: So we all know prices are great in Greece for tourists, right? Well then, the new owners need to take advantage of that now! Looks like an international ad account headquartered in the US of A waiting to happen.
LAS VEGAS, NV: Diamond Resorts International, a global leader in the hospitality and vacation ownership i [...]
Virgin Galactic takes full control
Steve’s breakdown: I love the term “Spaceline,” as in airline. And that’s what’s happening at Virgin Galactic. And now Sir Richard has full control which we think will translate into new marketing opportunities for agencies.
MOJAVE, CA: Virgin Galactic, the world’s first commercial spaceline, today announced tha [...]
MeetMe.com is now integrated, global and growing fast
Steve’s breakdown: We think there could be multiple opportunites here considering their growth plans. If you dig the site, let them know and get involved.
NEW HOPE, PA: MeetMe, Inc. (NYSE MKT: MEET), the public market leader for social discovery, today announced that the transition of Quepasa.com users to the MeetMe platform is complete [...]
King Me! Atlanta’s royal office towers have new owners
Steve’s breakdown: Here’s one for our real-estate agencies. This is a big deal because of its high profile so get in there and introduce yourself to the new Atlanta royalty.
ATLANTA, GA: One of the largest office complexes outside the Perimeter has a new owner.
Atlanta-based Regent Partners said Friday it purchased the 2.2 million [...]
Sunoco bought but still Pumping
Steve’s breakdown: Sunoco is not dead yet – and it may never die no matter who owns it. But that’s my point here. The retail business will stay in Phily but under new ownership. To us, that spells opportunity!
PHILADELPHIA, PA & DALLAS, TX: Some time by the close of business this week, a Texas pipeline company called En [...]
T-Mobile buys MetroPCS
Steve’s breakdown: Back in May we said Agency review prediction: T-Moblie CMO is leaving with a bad plan in place. And as far as we can see, there still is no CMO. Then add this little nugget of news and we are doubling down on the prediction.
And not-for-nothin’: We loved the MetroPCS ads.
BELLEVUE, WA: The parent company of T-M [...]
Gaylord Hotels sold to Marriott: Account review predicted
Steve’s breakdown: This purchase and restructuring will bring an advertising review with it so get in there now. Brands in the deal include Gaylord Hotels, General Jackson Showboat, Gaylord Springs Golf Links and Wildhorse Saloon.
NASHVILLE, TN: Gaylord Entertainment Company today completed the sale of the Gaylord Hotels brand and the r [...]
#1 green franchise in North America gets bought
Steve’s breakdown: We think this could be the beginning of something big. Unique Pizza and Subs Corporation has purchased Pizza Fusion. Pizza Fusion‘s tag-line is “Fresh, Organic, Earth Friendly” and they have 20 locations including 8 in Saudi Arabia.
PITTSBURGH, PA–(Marketwire – Sep 30, 2012) – Uniqu [...]
Tempur-Pedic buying Sealy: Is an ad review next?
Steve’s breakdown: Finally, a lead coming out of my alma mater’s home town.
Anyway, this is really big news and ya’ll know how much the mattress category spends in advertising. We’re predicting some kind of review early next year.
LEXINGTON, KY: Lexington-based mattress company Tempur-Pedic is buying rival Sealy for a [...]
Southern California Telephone & Energy buys North Energy Central
Steve’s breakdown: The company they are buying is a green energy provider and we suspect they are going to want to tout that very soon.
LAGUNA BEACH, CA: Southern California Telephone & Energy, a privately held company, has completed the purchase of North Energy Central (NEC) www.northenergycentral.com from the famed Power Plant D [...]
Columbia Bank buys 150 new branches
Steve’s breakdown: With this sort of investment, we think a new advertising campaign might in order.
TACOMA, WA: The parent company of Tacoma-based Columbia Bank announced Wednesday it plans to acquire West Coast Bancorp, a Portland-area banking franchise, creating a bank with more than $7.2 billion in assets and more than 150 branches [...]
Savored bought by Groupon
Steve’s breakdown: Lord knows the financial community has been talking about Groupon for months now. It’s like they are all waiting to pounce but are looking for a sign. Is this the sign? Probably not but putting some marketing muscle behind this brand will surely help.
CHICAGO, IL: Groupon (http://www.groupon.com) (NASDAQ: GRPN) [...]
Oceanic Bank rebranded as First National Bank of Northern California
Steve’s breakdown: These types of mergers happen a lot and it’s been our experience that they don’t get their mareting figured out last.
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA: Today FNB Bancorp (OTCQB: FNBG) completed its acquisition of Oceanic Bank Holding, Inc., the sole shareholder of Oceanic Bank. Also completed today was the merger o [...]
Universal Music approved to buy EMI: HUGE!
Steve’s breakdown: This is the second music group merger this week. On the 19th we reported Round Hill Music Acquires Arthouse Entertainment’s Publishing Catalog. Trend?
SANTA MONICA, CA: The Federal Trade Commission on Friday voted to approve Universal Music Group‘s controversial acquisition of EMI with no strings attached, again [...]
iRobot Acquires Evolution Robotics
Steve’s breakdown: We’ve got some robot consolidation going on here. And now the new company will be the market leader and we all love representing market leaders!!
BEDFORD, MA: iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ: IRBT), a leader in delivering robotic technology-based solutions, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire [...]
Round Hill Music Acquires Arthouse Entertainment’s Publishing Catalog
Steve’s breakdown: Some shops stay away from the music business but if you are in the market, these guys would be a good choice. This deal includes Hits from Bruno Mars, Cee Lo Green and Katy Perry
NEW YORK, NY: Round Hill Music today announced that it has acquired Kara DioGuardi and Stephen Finfer’s interest in a 150 song catalog fr [...]
Account review prediction: Wyndham buys Shell timeshare biz
Steve’s breakdown: Sporting over 813,000 members, Shell is going to be a nice addition to their portfolio. But I have to say, their marketing is going to need some help.
PARSIPPANY, NJ: Lodging company Wyndham Worldwide Corp. said Friday it acquired Shell Vacations LLC in a $255 million cash-and-assumed-debt deal that would add 19 resor [...]
Bayer HealthCare to acquire animal health business
Steve’s breakdown: Bayer has gone to the dogs on this purchase. It will enable Bayer HealthCare to expand companion animal and food animal product lines in the United States.
SHAWNEE, KS & JERUSALEM: Bayer HealthCare LLC and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA) announced today that they have signed an agreement in which [...]
Iconic Brands signs letter of intent to acquire United Spirits
Steve’s breakdown: There are a lot of moving parts with this news but the guy seems serious. Get in there now before decisions get made.
AMITYVILLE NY: Iconic Brands, a New York-based company that develops, markets and distributes branded alcoholic beverages, has signed a letter of intent to acquire membership units of United Spirits he [...]
Merger: GRAND-AM Road Racing & American Le Mans Series
Steve’s breakdown: This new company/ad account will launch in 2014. And keep in mind, NASCAR is in the mix as an owner so expect big movement in the marketing department.
DAYTONA BEACH, FL: The most significant development in the history of sports car racing in North America was announced today, with plans for a landmark merger of GRAND [...]
Vitafusion and L’il Critters are now on Church & Dwight’s table
Steve’s breakdown: Vitafusion and L’il Critters are the big brands they are talking about here. And just like the ConAgra deal yesterday, they will be looking for new advertising. I guarantee it!
PRINCETON, NJ: Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (NYSE:CHD) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Avid Health, Inc. (Avid), the lead [...]
Bertolli and P.F. Chang’s Home Menu are scarfed up by ConAgra
Steve’s breakdown: Here’s a classic brand grab by ConAgra and all the ad agencies that were working on those brands will not – I repeat – will not be working on them anymore. Normally, companies like ConAgra would just spread these accounts around their roster shops but that might not happen. And even if it does, ther [...]
Majority stake in Back to Nature brand sold by Kraft to Brywood
Steve’s breakdown: Last year we reported Kraft Foods Plans To Split Into 2 Companies and told folks that there would be a shake out. Well, that’s exactly what this is. And check out all those brands the new Back to Nature owners have!
GREENWICH, CT: Kraft Foods Inc. said on Tuesday it would sell a majority stake in its Back to Nat [...]
Tiger Beer is getting stalked by Heineken
Steve’s breakdown: This is not a done deal but if this spike in stock price is any indicator of how it’s going to go down, The Tiger is moving to Amsterdam.
SINGAPORE: Shares of Asia Pacific Breweries Ltd (APB +0.41%, news) soared to a record in Singapore trading on Tuesday after Dutch brewer Heineken sweetened its offer for the [...]