Promotion Execution Partners has been acquired by WPP

Promotion Execution Partners (pep), a Cincinnati-based marketing management and procurement company, has been acquired by WPP, the world’s largest communications services company. Financial details have not been disclosed.

Founded in 2004, Promotion Execution Partners (pep) has to-date managed over US$3.5 billion in marketing spend across 35,000 campaigns for over 500 brands worldwide. Clients include Procter & Gamble, Kraft Heinz, Johnson & Johnson, General Mills and Mars. The firm oversees budgets, timelines and vendor coordination for commercial print, digital, in-store, and direct to consumer programs, which are seamlessly executed utilizing pep’s industry-leading marketing management and procurement platform called pepconnect®. The company employs 240 people in 20 offices servicing 14 countries across North and South America.

WPP is the world’s largest communications services group with billings of US$73 billion and revenues of US$19 billion. Through its operating companies, the group provides a comprehensive range of advertising and marketing services, including advertising and media investment management; data investment management; public relations and public affairs; branding and identity; healthcare communications; direct, digital, promotion and relationship marketing; and specialist communications. The company employs over 200,000 people (including associates and investments) in over 3,000 offices across 113 countries.

Oaklins' media specialist team in New York represented Promotion Execution Partners as sole financial advisor in this transaction.