The acquisition strengthens iCrossing’s position in the digital experience and content marketing arena in the U.K. and expands its offering for clients
NEW YORK, AUGUST 2, 2021 – Hearst Magazines-owned iCrossing announced the acquisition of Mediablaze, a London-based digital experience and content marketing agency, following a 2016 minority stake investment. The agency will join iCrossing’s UK office, a global digital marketing leader. The announcement was made today by Hearst Magazines President Debi Chirichella and CEO of Mediablaze Paul Button.
The newly-formed partnership will offer clients full-service marketing solutions with industry-leading expertise in customer experience, digital transformation, performance media, and creative-driven content marketing campaigns.
“With the digital acceleration brands have seen over the past year, there is a growing demand for complete marketing solutions that can offer engaging and impactful digital experiences and this investment positions us to deliver industry-leading solutions for our clients,” Chirichella said.
“The joining of our businesses will combine Mediablaze’s digital experience capability with iCrossing UK’s powerful media and customer insights, creating a best-in-class agency solution that will help clients transform and accelerate their digital business,” Button said.
“This is an investment in our team and represents a commitment to grow our organization and position us for continued success as our clients’ needs continue to evolve,” said Jamie Clifford, Managing Director, iCrossing UK.
This acquisition further positions iCrossing as a global leader within the digital marketing landscape and enhances its ability to execute creative, data-driven, performance-tested digital experiences that deliver measurable business impact.
Hearst Magazines’ portfolio of more than 25 powerful brands in the U.S. inspires and entertains audiences across all media platforms. Hearst Magazines’ print and digital assets reach nearly 165 million readers and site visitors each month — 70% of all millennials and 69% of all Gen Z over the age of 18 (source: comScore/MRI 1-20/S19). The company publishes nearly 260 magazine editions and 200 websites around the world.
Hearst Magazines is a division of Hearst, a leading global, diversified media, information and services company with more than 360 businesses. Its major interests include ownership in cable television networks such as A&E, HISTORY, Lifetime and ESPN; global financial services leader Fitch Group; Hearst Health, a group of medical information and services businesses; transportation assets including CAMP Systems International, a major provider of software-as-a-service solutions for managing maintenance of jets and helicopters; 33 television stations such as WCVB-TV in Boston and KCRA-TV in Sacramento, California, which reach a combined 19% of U.S. viewers; newspapers such as the Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle and Times Union (Albany, New York); and more than 300 magazines around the world, including Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Men's Health and Car and Driver, and digital services businesses such as iCrossing and KUBRA.
Media Contacts: Allison Keane, Allison.Keane@hearst.com, 212-649-2591
Alexander Deluca, Alexander.DeLuca@icrossing.com, 212-649-7947