Harris Puts Media Processing Unit On The Block, Move Comes Amid Industry Consolidation

At a time when the market of suppliers serving Madison Avenue’s so-called back-office -– the software, systems and technology agencies use to plan, buy, traffic and pay the media -– seems to be consolidating, a key player, Harris Corp., has put the unit that services agencies on the block.

The unit, Broadcast Communications, provides a variety of data processing services to the media industry, including EAS, or Enterprise Agency Suite. Among the agencies listed as Harris clients are The Richards Group, GSD&M and Mullen.

The move comes as the ad industry’s data processing market is becoming increasingly consolidated, following the merger of juggernauts Donovan Data Systems and MediaBank into MediaOcean.

A spokesman said it wasn’t clear how Harris would divest Broadcast Communications, but Harris Morris, president of the division issued a statement Tuesday indicating a management buyout might be one of the scenarios: “Operating independently or as part of a broadcast or media-focused enterprise will provide us with strategic investment, increased competitive flexibility, and customer focus to lead the continuing transformation in this competitive marketplace.”

In the interim, Morris said the unit would continue to operate “business as usual” as part of Harris.

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