S4 Capital, the new holding group of former WPP CEO Martin Sorrell, has agreed to acquire digital production company MediaMonks for a reported price of some $350 million.
A released statement from Sorrell read in part, “We’re delighted to join forces with MediaMonks. This represents a significant step in building a new age, new era, digital agency platform for clients. MediaMonks’ roots are totally in new media, and data, content and technology. Our next moves will be to build this platform further and to add meaningful data analytics and digital media buying.”
MediaMonks CEO Victor Knaap stated, “MediaMonks comes from humble beginnings–we started in a basement and have grown to 750 Monks around the globe. With this merger, I’m privileged to be shaping the future of the creative industry alongside a man with an unprecedented reputation for building successful businesses. We’re not selling out, we’re buying in.”
Sorrell’s former roost, WPP, contends that the MediaMonks deal violates terms of an agreement made by Sorrell upon his resignation from the company back in April and jeopardizes some $26 million to be paid to him as part of an incentive plan.
Still, Wesley ter Haar, MediaMonks’ founding COO, is bullish on Sorrell’s commitment and what it means to the company’s future. “With this merger we’re adding the firepower to build out our consolidated offering across creative, data, media and technology to best serve and service our clients,” said ter Haar. It’s a great statement that MediaMonks is the premium platform upon which Sir Martin Sorrell’s new business is founded. That to me is also a true testament to the quality of our team and talent. Now let’s go make some stuff.”
Taylor Swift Wins Big At MTV Video Music Awards, Ties Beyoncé’s Record
Taylor Swift 's dominance continued at the MTV Video Music Awards, where she took home seven awards — including the night's biggest, the trophy for video of the year.
In her speech Wednesday night, Swift thanked her "boyfriend, Travis" for being on set of the "Fortnight" music video and cheering her on. Fans rewarded the mention of NFL star Travis Kelce with loud screams.
"Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic," she said, before shifting gears to the 2024 presidential election and instructing her fans who are over 18 to register to vote.
Swift did, however, avoid discussing Kamala Harris' presidential bid on stage. On Tuesday night, Swift endorsed the vice president, moments after Harris' debate with former president Donald Trump ended.
Swift's awards haul brings her to a career total of 30, tying her and Beyonc for the title of most-awarded musician in VMA history. Eminem is now the male artist with the most VMAs, at 14.
Swift and Post Malone also took home the first televised award of the VMAs for best collaboration, for "Fortnight," handed to them by Flavor Flav and Olympian Jordan Chiles.
Swift started that speech by giving remembrance to everyone who lost their lives and loved ones during 9/11, 23 years ago.
"I've just been thinking about what happened 23 years ago, everyone who lost a loved one and everyone that we lost and that is the most important thing about today," she said. "And everything that happens tonight falls behind that."
She then turned to discussing Malone.
"There is a reason Post Malone is everyone in music's favorite person to collaborate with," she shifted her attention to him. "It has taken forever for me to get him to stop calling me... Read More