WhittmanHart Adds Healthcare Expertise, Tech, with Acquisition

Web developer WhittmanHart has acquired Estco.net, an interactive marketing firm with well known health-related clients such as Bausch and Lomb, Medtronic, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Financial terms of the acquisition weren’t disclosed.

Maryland-based Estco.net does business as Estco and Estco Medical, using the latter name to serve its health-oriented clients. One of the company’s largest assets is its Medigent technology, which combines content management, collaboration, physician education, and other capabilities. WhittmanHart also cited the company’s Macromedia Flash development expertise as a reason behind the purchase.

John Estafanous, founder of Estco.net, was named director of technology for WhittmanHart Interactive as part of the acquisition. He will manage the company’s Washington, D.C. office.

“My team will focus on the technological underpinnings that make our clients’ Web sites and applications operate efficiently and seamlessly,” said Estefanous.

Besides the technological contributions, Estco.net also expands Chicago-based WhittmanHart further eastward and grows employee headcount by a dozen. The company now has 350 employees, with 160 of those in interactive.

WhittmanHart Interactive’s president, David Skinner, said the deal complemented the firm’s overall growth strategy, hinting that more acquisitions might be in store for 2006. Over the past couple of years, the company has made a string of purchases, including Insight Interactive Group, SGS Net and Big Orbit Solutions.

The Web development’s firm past work includes developing the TideColdwater.com site for the Procter & Gamble brand. It’s interactive agency of record for Roto-Rooter and Wilton Enterprises.