Direct-response ad agency Inter/Media Group of Cos. has purchased a new headquarters in Woodland Hills and plans to make a statement with an interior remodeling.
That’s because the agency will build new offices with curvilinear walls that mimic the soundwave for the word “yes.” Inter/Media believes its mission is to get consumers to say “yes” to clients’ offers, and it wants to make that message part of its new digs.
“The overall design is the rough depiction of the most important word in sales,” said Chief Executive Robert Yallen. “We love the voice print embodied in our new headquarters that is a positive expression of engagement.”
The two-building complex, at 22110 and 22120 Clarendon St., includes more than 40,000 square feet. The agency paid $10 million for the property.
Inter/Media will occupy about 17,000 square feet on two floors in the 22120 building, including offices and TV production studios. The rest of the complex is already leased to other tenants.
The 38-year-old agency, which has about 90 employees, moved from Encino.
Personal Touch
In an attempt to bring the technical and creative skills of online marketing under one roof, Global IT Communications, an Internet service provider in Whittier, has purchased online ad agency E Cal Media in Los Angeles for an undisclosed amount.
Global IT Chief Executive Tony Williams said his company has expanded from just providing bandwidth to become a website design studio, search engine optimization consultancy and online data tracking service. The addition of E Cal gives the company creative personnel, a new list of clients and a more personable approach to dealing with customers.
“I love doing business the old-fashioned style through meet and greet, because it gives us an edge over competitors who commonly hide behind e-mail and a website,” Williams said. “This acquisition has allowed us to come out of our shell and build relationships face to face. We are gaining a valuable customer base and adding high quality seasoned online marketing talent to our team.”
Global IT clients include American Express, Four Points Sheraton and David Geffen Cos. The company has about 25 employees.
Fashion Man
Event production company Advanstar Communications has hired Tom Florio to serve as chief executive of the company’s fashion group.
Florio will supervise two of the company’s biggest shows: Magic, a twice-yearly retail expo in Las Vegas; and Project, another twice-yearly show staged once in Las Vegas and once in New York. A former Conde Nast executive who expanded the publishing firm’s websites, Florio will work to bring online retailers to events that have traditionally catered to brick-and-mortar retailers and manufacturers.
Santa Monica-based Advanstar owns 141 events and 60 publications.
Rising Horizon
In 12 years as general manager of Horizon Media’s Century City office, Zach Rosenberg expanded billings by 800 percent to $450 million. As a reward, he’s been promoted to the newly created position of chief growth officer at the New York-based media-buying agency.
Rosenberg will take charge of several Horizon divisions, including its direct-response, social media, sports and entertainment operations. He will remain in Los Angeles and continue to work with current clients.
Serena Duff, a managing partner in the L.A. office, will replace Rosenberg as general manager. Horizon’s local clients include Jack-in-the-Box and Southern California Honda Dealers.
Agencies & Accounts
Edelman’s Miracle Mile office has hired Marie Kennedy to lead the PR firm’s corporate and life sciences practices. Kennedy previously served as director of global communications at Baxter International Inc., a Deerfield, Ill., medical device manufacturer, and as vice president of corporate communications at drug maker Amgen Inc. in Thousand Oaks. In her new job, she will work with clients such as San Diego’s Optimer Pharmaceuticals Inc. … Maize Marketing, a PR and marketing firm in Santa Monica, has launched a division focused on professional service clients such as law firms and consultancies. Joseph Geisman, former counsel at law firm Greenburg Traurig, will lead the new division. … Media Storm, a media-buying agency based in South Norwalk, Conn., has won the account for Open Road Films and has opened an L.A. office at 10880 Wilshire Blvd. The agency’s first assignment for Open Road was to promote action film “The Grey,” which debuted Jan. 27. Jill Rosenbaum, a former media buyer at Mindshare and Palisades Media, will run the office.
Staff reporter Joel Russell can be reached at [email protected] or at (323) 549-5225, ext. 237.
