Toronto, ON, CANADA (May 9, 2001) – David Fong, President and CEO of TBWA\Chiat\Day, today
announced that TBWA\ (TBWA Worldwide) is acquiring Toronto-based digital business solutions firm, Communicopia
Inc. The move comes as part of the development of its operations model in Canada.
The acquisition allows Canadian Internet technology pioneer Communicopia Inc. to grow its
operations on an international scale. Founded in 1995, Communicopia has built its reputation on
state-of-the-art Web and business application development, as well as innovative design and strategy solutions.
As a longstanding partner to financial sector clients, Communicopia aims to leverage its newfound role in the
TBWA network to grow its North American and international presence. Communicopia’s current client portfolio
includes: TD Asset Management, CDNX, Spectrum Investments, Merrill Lynch Investment Advisors and Manulife Financial.
Through the partnership, TBWA\Chiat\Day and Communicopia Inc. will be working as separate
entities under the TBWA worldwide network with a goal to work in collaboration to further develop the
interactive expertise for each of their clients.
David Fong, CEO of TBWA\Chiat\Day\Canada, said, “This is not just another integration story.
Our focus is to develop a marketing communications model for the 3rd wave of competition in which
‘better parity’ provides diminishing returns and ‘innovation’ is a transient advantage. We are not
looking for ‘bolt on’ integration or solutions but ‘ground zero’ creation that will help brands to master
rather than become victims of convergence.
Tracey Wood, CEO of Communicopia Inc., said, “We are delighted to be a member of the
TBWA\Chiat\Day network. Communicopia and TBWA are a truly complementary fit”. “Through Communicopia,
TBWA can now offer clients the technological expertise critical to the success of its integrated marketing
efforts. As well, this is a tremendous opportunity for Communicopia to complete our transition from a domestic
firm to one with truly international breadth.”
Communicopia Inc. will continue to operate under its current name, with
its current management team.
About TBWA\Chiat\Day\Canada
TBWA\CHIAT\DAY Canada is part of the Omnicom Group and consists of 3 advertising agencies –
TBWA\Chiat\Day (Toronto), Tam Tam TBWA (Montreal) and Bryant, Fulton & Shee (BFS) (Vancouver). It is
currently the 13th largest agency network in Canada with 2000 billings of $176 million.
TBWA\Chiat\Day has been the industry leader in strategic and creative thinking in Canada
since 1988 and continues to develop Canadian icon brands with clients such as Shoppers Drug Mart, AGF Mutual
Funds Inc., Nokia, Petro Canada, Moosehead Breweries, Nissan Canada, Apple and Taco Bell. BFS is the second
largest agency in western Canada and one of the most highly awarded creative shops in the country with offices
in both Vancouver and Calgary representing such brands as Shaw Cablesystems, HSBC, Vancouver Film Festival,
Travel Alberta and Tripeze.com. Tam Tam TBWA, based in Montreal, is an award-winning shop which offers
ground-breaking thinking for services for mass marketing, B2B, Direct response, interactive and promotions
for their client list which includes Apple, Avid, Interac, Nissan Canada, Look Communications and Astral.
About TBWA
TBWA Worldwide (www.tbwa.com) is among the
top ten US-based agency networks, with annual consolidated billings of $8.6 billion. The network has 217 offices
in 69 countries, and 8,400 employees worldwide. TBWA’s major global clients include Absolut, Apple, Beiersdorf,
Nissan and Sony PlayStation.
About Omnicom
Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE-OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com),
is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom’s branded networks and numerous
specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, direct and promotional marketing,
public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.
About Communicopia Inc.
Communicopia Inc. (www.communicopia.com)
is a digital business solutions firm specializing in Web and business application development. Founded in 1995,
Communicopia has a staff of 70 people and is based in downtown Toronto. Communicopia’s service offerings include:
strategic consulting, Web development, design, rich media production, project management, information
architecture, and hosting and maintenance.
