Project: WorldWide Announces Intent to Acquire Mercury 11

DALLAS, TX--(Marketwired - Aug 19, 2013) -  Project: WorldWide today announced its intent to acquire Mercury 11, a social media and marketing technology agency with retail and shopper marketing focus.

Based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Mercury 11 was founded by Andy Murray in April, 2011, and will be integrated with Project: WorldWide's Shoptology, the rapidly growing shopper engagement agency. Before launching Mercury 11, Murray was the founder and Worldwide CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi X.

Upon closing of the deal, the merged entity will be called Shoptology and will be led by Charlie Anderson, CEO, one of the industry's leading shopper marketing executives. Dallas-based Shoptology will add Fayetteville, AR as its second U.S. office. The terms of the deal are undisclosed.

Murray has recently accepted the role of Senior Vice President, Creative at retail giant Walmart, opening up the opportunity for Project: WorldWide to consider the acquisition.

"Shoptology is a world-class shopper marketing agency and this acquisition continues to enhance its offering. It is part of a bigger picture strategy of Project to acquire leading capabilities and talent in key growing marketing services segments," said Robert G. Vallee Jr., Chairman & CEO of Project: WorldWide.

Anderson and Murray have an existing relationship from their time together building Saatchi & Saatchi X and they each hold a deep respect and appreciation for one another's talents and agencies.

"Mercury 11 is a strong complementary add to our Shoptology offering as more of the path-to-purchase is omni-channel and ripe for innovation and engagement points technology can enable," said Anderson. "As an agency, Mercury 11 has built innovative cloud-based strategies and solutions for multi-location brands to manage local marketing campaigns at scale making it an ideal pairing for us. We're excited about leveraging the technologies, social and mobile strategy capabilities of Mercury 11 for further redefining of shopper marketing 2.0."

"I'm excited for Mercury 11 to join the Shoptology team," said Murray. "Charlie is an experienced builder and has a keen appreciation for how to scale a top team to bring world-class digital shopper marketing solutions to blue-chip client partners. I have no doubt Mercury 11's capabilities and people will add value to Shoptology's offering and will be in good hands."

"Andy knows the perfect ingredients for building a solid agency that produces outstanding work for its clients. We are thrilled for this opportunity to take on Mercury 11 and look forward expanding Shoptology's services further in the Fayetteville region," concluded Anderson.

ABOUT Shoptology
Shoptology is a next-generation shopper engagement agency, focused on driving breakthrough growth through shopper insights and activations. The agency delivers engagements that are welcome, magnetic and useful with smart, curious people asking better questions to develop more innovative solutions. Shoptology is based in Dallas, TX and led by Charlie Anderson, an award-winning shopper marketing veteran. For more information please visit www.goshoptology.com.

ABOUT Mercury 11
Mercury 11 is a marketing technology company, focused on helping companies improve performance of their on-line environments to build audience and drive growth. Mercury 11 has built technology based solutions for clients such as DSM, Blistex, Stridex, B&H, and LifeWay Retail. Mercury 11 is based in Fayetteville, AR and led by Andy Murray. For more information please visit www.mercury11.com

ABOUT Project: WorldWide
Project: WorldWide is an independent, global network of complementary agencies focused on providing engaging experiences that drive business results for clients. The network is comprised of engineers, craftsmen and artists making things that inspire people to participate and act. Project: WorldWide is employee-owned with more than 2,000 employees in 41 offices around the world. The agencies include George P. Johnson, Partners + Napier, JUXT, G7 Entertainment Marketing, Motive, The Spinifex Group, Affinitive, Raumtechnik, Shoptology and ARGONAUT. For more information, please visit http://www.project.com.