True North Acquires Stein Rogan Partners

Advertising and communications holding company True North Communications, expanding its commitment to the digital arena, is acquiring Stein Rogan + Partners, an agency that specializes in integrated online and off-line marketing for digital brands.

Financial details were not disclosed.

The agency will function autonomously as part of the True North family.

Stein Rogan founding partners Thomas Stein and Mark Rogan will continue as president and chief executive officer and executive creative director, respectively. Marianne Moore will continue in her role as senior vice president, strategic planning/business development, as will the entire agency management team.

“True North is committed to serving companies that seek greater business opportunity through the Internet,” said David Bell, chairman and CEO of True North.

“We think Stein Rogan — with their expertise in integrating online and off-line advertising solutions that build digital brands and businesses — is in an excellent position to take advantage of the evolution of this category.”

Founded in 1986, Stein Rogan was an early entrant in the integrated off-line/online field, positioning itself in this marketplace in 1995.

From 1995 through 1999, the agency’s revenues have grown by an estimated 275 percent. Clients include Apartments.com, Mail.com, Flycast, Snowball.com, Blackboard.com, HomeHunter, e-Risks.com, ExpertCommerce, iBasix.com, FasTV.com and Wrenchead.com. Stein Rogan now has capitalized billings of approximately $75 million.

True North, the world’s seventh largest advertising and communications holding company with annual revenues exceeding $1.2 billion, also holds a 50 percent stake in Modem Media . Poppe Tyson and owns R/GA Interactive, a Web design firm and an emerging broadband player.