IPG Media Lab to Oversee Strategic Partnership with Leading Mobile
Innovator
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 2013--
Kiip
and Interpublic
Group (NYSE: IPG) announced today that they have entered into a
strategic partnership, which includes an investment by the global
advertising holding company. On IPG’s side, the partnership will be led
the IPG Media Lab division of IPG Mediabrands, which will help introduce
top-tier marketers to Kiip’s mobile and gaming advertising platform
focusing on rewards-based consumer interactions. The investment by IPG
was a part of Kiip’s most recent round of funding which took place at
the end of 2012 and included additional investments from Relay Ventures,
Hummer Winblad, True Ventures and Digital Garage, totaling $11 million.
Kiip's rewards network model includes an array of apps that connect a
large community of mobile consumers to rewards for their in-app “moments
of achievement” and enables brands to monetize mobile in a way that
augments quality of content and engagement versus a standard
interruption model.
“IPG is committed to developing emerging technology, talent and
innovation, and bringing new solutions to our clients,” commented
Michael I. Roth, Chairman and CEO of Interpublic. “IPG Mediabrands and
the IPG Media Lab identified Kiip as a key player in the increasingly
important mobile market, with a thoughtful and effective model that
connects brands with the modern consumer. It’s always exciting when we
can help our clients find new pathways to consumer engagement.”
"At the IPG Media Lab, we identify the best and most innovative
companies with whom we and our clients can partner. Kiip's approach to
engaging a brand's customers and rewarding them when it is most
effective is particularly compelling," said Chad Stoller, managing
Partner, IPG Media Lab. "We look forward to being a strategic partner to
Kiip and to working with them and IPG's clients to build real business
solutions."
“This is a major moment for Kiip,” said Brian Wong, CEO and co-founder
of Kiip. “By having a partner like IPG and the innovative team at the
IPG Media Lab join us, we expect to see accelerated global growth with
top-tier marketers who are looking to engage with mobile consumers.
Having launched just over a year ago, the traction we have made
introducing a new advertising model to major brands is remarkable and
the potential of rewards-based communications with a connected consumer
is nearly limitless.”
The Kiip mobile rewards network aligns the interests of users, major
brands and game/app developers by linking moments of achievement with
rewards from major brands. Kiip now works with more than 45 top-tier
consumer brands, and more than 670 iOS and Android apps currently employ
the Kiip network.
About Interpublic
Interpublic is one of the world's leading organizations of advertising
agencies and marketing services companies. Major global brands include
Draftfcb, FutureBrand, GolinHarris International, Huge, Initiative, Jack
Morton Worldwide, Lowe and Partners, MAGNAGLOBAL, McCann, Momentum, MRM
Worldwide, Octagon, R/GA, UM and Weber Shandwick. Leading domestic
brands include Campbell Ewald; Campbell Mithun; Carmichael Lynch;
Deutsch, a Lowe and Partners Company; Gotham Inc.; Hill Holliday; ID
Media; Mullen and The Martin Agency. For more information, please visit www.interpublic.com.
About the IPG Media Lab
The IPG Media Lab is equal parts think tank, real-world proving ground,
and change enabler. We provide agencies and clients with the power to
harness emerging media by offering facilities, expertise, and resources
specifically tailored to rigorously testing emerging media and marketing
techniques, driving quantifiable outcomes, learnings and strategies. The
IPG Media Lab is part of IPG Mediabrands, the media innovation and
investment arm of IPG. For more information please visit www.ipglab.com
or follow @ipglab.
About Kiip
Kiip is the world’s first mobile rewards network that brings rewards
into virtual achievements in apps and games. The company’s
category-creating rewards platform enables brands to reach consumers in
the moments when they are most engaged and receptive, while driving
revenues and greater user allegiance for developers within the Kiip
network. Kiip was founded in 2010 by Brian Wong, Courtney Guertin and
Amadeus Demarzi. In addition to its San Francisco headquarters, Kiip now
has offices in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and London. Kiip is
currently backed by IPG, Relay Ventures, Hummer Winblad, True Ventures,
Verizon Ventures, Crosslink Capital and others. For more information,
visit www.kiip.com.
Source: Interpublic Group
Kiip
Alex Koritz, Method Communications
801-461-9795 (direct)
801-641-3808
(cell)
alex@methodcommunications.com
or
IPG
Tom
Cunningham, 212-704-1326
tom.cunningham@interpublic.com
or
IPG
Mediabrands / IPG Media Lab
Belle Lenz, 212-883-4791
belle.lenz@mbww.com