Butler, Shine & Stern to Acquire SF Interactive

  • by January 27, 2003
Butler Shine & Stern, the Sausalito-based advertising agency announced its acquisition of one of the nation’s leading independent interactive marketing services companies, SF Interactive. The company plans to leverage its renowned creative reputation to offer clients communication solutions that integrate direct and interactive marketing, customer analytics, design and advertising.

“We’ve created an independent holding company, comprised of complementary and essential marketing services, practiced by those who are leaders in their fields,” noted Greg Stern, co-founder of Butler, Shine & Stern, and CEO of the combined entity, Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners. “We’re unencumbered by the pressures and conflicts of a holding company, and importantly, the company is fully integrated, both physically and financially, ensuring the best possible solutions are created for our clients.”

John Butler, Co-Creative Director of the new company commented, “There seems to be a surplus of creative agencies competing for the same business, and very few have a distinct point of difference. The idea of combining accountability with smart, relevant creative is one many preach, but few actually deliver. SF Interactive provides BSS with direct and interactive marketing capabilities, ensuring an unprecedented opportunity to measure the effectiveness of our work.”

Like PeñaBrand, a design consultancy acquired by Butler, Shine & Stern in 2001, SF Interactive will retain its identity and be integrated into the operations of the company. SFI will continue to provide its online, direct marketing and analytic services to its existing client base, and will continue to develop proprietary advertising platforms and innovative marketing technologies.

SFI founder and CEO, Bruce Carlisle will continue to lead SF Interactive and will assume the additional role of President of Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners. “This is a combination that has great logic and is something Greg and I have been talking about for years,” said Carlisle.

“Having collaborated with SFI over the years, we saw an enormous opportunity to combine two strong companies and create a unique offering that will better serve the needs of today’s clients. Our vision is to offer top-tier creative and strategic thinking across all facets of consumer communication. We believe this is the agency model of the future,” noted Mike Shine, Co-Creative Director of Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners.

Greg Richey, currently COO of SF Interactive will assume the same role at the combined company.

Next story loading loading..