Western International Media Acquires Interest in Zentropy

Western International Media, a subsidiary of The Interpublic Group of Companies Inc., said it acquired a significant minority interest in Zentropy, an Internet development, interactive communications and advertising services company.

The company said its alliance with Zentropy underscores Western’s strategy to provide its clients with the highest level of creative online marketing solutions to build business on the Internet. Financial terms of the investment were not disclosed.

“We have made an investment in Zentropy because of the company’s expertise in emerging technologies–especially the convergence between the personal computer and the television,” said Michael E. Kassan, Western president and chief operating officer.

The Western and Zentropy alliance will provide Western’s current and prospective clients with expanded state-of-the-art Web development and online marketing services capabilities. A full-service shop, Zentropy specializes in Web development, site maintenance and strategic online marketing and advertising and will pair well with Western’s online strengths in Web media planning and buying, Western said.

“Western’s alliance with Zentropy represents a major step in building a business model for the one-screen world of the future,” said Daniel Roth, chief strategic officer and managing director, Western International Media’s Diversified Services division. “With Zentropy on board, we can deliver even higher levels of service to our clients in a very critical medium of the next century.”

Zentropy specializes in the development, management and marketing of World Wide Web sites and related Internet services for major entertainment and corporate brands. Zentropy has achieved award-winning work in the areas of e- commerce, entertainment, consumer products and business solutions.