Acxiom-R-, OgilvyOne Introduce New Channel for Global CRM Services
Joint Venture Poised to Offer Global AbiliTec
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 18, 2000--Acxiom® Corporation (Nasdaq:ACXM), the international database marketing service provider, and OgilvyOne, the WPP-owned relationship marketing agency, today announced the creation of a new channel partnership to help meet the growing needs of both partners' existing multinational clients in executing global Customer Relationship Management (CRM) marketing programs. CRM, deployed by more and more global companies, is a business strategy aimed at using customer-related data to understand, anticipate, and serve the needs of current and prospective customers.
The new operation, named Levante Global(TM) CRM Solutions, combines OgilvyOne's strategic and consultative skills with Acxiom technology such as the newly developed AbiliTec(SM) and Global Atlas, to help major companies deploy international database marketing programs.
While businesses are increasingly seeking to apply CRM solutions, obstacles are recognized. Scott Nelson, Research Director at the Gartner Group, wrote in ''International Marketing - A World of Database Potential (Sept./Oct. 1997): ''The challenge is compounded as marketers develop global marketing competence. Marketing strategy is made much more complex by the multiple variations in each country environment. And even if you master the strategy, you may not find technology solutions readily available.''
Levante has clearly come at the right time, and will benefit from the local expertise of OgilvyOne's international relationship marketing operations and creative services. Acxiom will provide Levante with world-class technology solutions designed to meet multi-country requirements, including AbiliTec, a revolutionary tool introduced in September to provide unmatched speed and accuracy in the customer data integration process. Under the global strategic alliance, Ogilvy will be positioned as the first global re-seller of AbiliTec as it becomes available internationally, combined with Global Atlas which provides multi-country data validation and enhancement.
Both companies already share a number of international blue-chip clients such as IBM. Other clients who do not need the additional services of Levante will continue to be served independently by Acxiom and OgilvyOne in their existing markets. Both companies will also continue their business relationships with other agencies and vendors to meet specific needs of their varying clients.
Headquartered in London, Levante's leadership team will comprise of senior personnel from Acxiom and OgilvyOne. The operation will be headed by Nicholas Turner, currently the London-based director of international development for Acxiom. Kevin Cody, former head of systems consultancy at OgilvyOne in London, will complete the central management team.
Reimer Thedens, Chairman of OgilvyOne Worldwide, welcomed the venture. ''Our clients are increasingly looking to implement sophisticated CRM solutions across multiple markets. Levante now makes this possible, while also delivering economies of scope and scale,'' he said.
Charles D. Morgan, Acxiom's Company Leader, said, ''Levante is a new force in global Customer Relationship Management. What differentiates it from others is that it brings together OgilvyOne's unmatched direct marketing expertise and local presence with Acxiom's premier AbiliTec technology and related services. For the first time ever, a complete solution can be fully supported in key global markets.''
About Acxiom Corp.
Acxiom Corporation provides a wide spectrum of data products, data integration services, mailing list services, modeling and analysis, and information technology outsourcing services to major U.S. and international firms. Acxiom recorded annual sales of $754 million in the last fiscal year (ending March 31st, 1999). Founded in 1969, Acxiom is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, with operations throughout the United States, Europe and Australasia. It employs more than 5,600 associates worldwide.
The discussion in this release regarding Acxiom Corporation contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks detailed from time to time in the company's SEC reports. Actual results may differ materially.
About OgilvyOne
OgilvyOne Worldwide is the leading one-to-one communications network in the world with 69 offices in 47 countries, with billings of over $1.6 billion. OgilvyInteractive, an integrated offering of OgilvyOne, is one of the largest media buyers on the Internet and recipient of the most creative awards in the industry. Both units are part of Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide, the eighth largest advertising agency network in the world with billings of $9.8 billion.
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