• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, July 17, 2012

Interpublic Group is getting into the printing business, via a strategic partnership struck between its subsidiary corporate trade unit Orion Holdings and print and communications services giant Pitney Bowes.

Through the partnerhip, a new Orion subsidiary has been formed called Orion Printing Worldwide that will offer corporate printing solutions to IPG agencies and potentially IPG clients. The idea is to streamline printing services costs globally, resulting in savings for both IPG shops and clients.

Two IPG agencies have already signed on, including shops in the UK and South Africa, per IPG. Their identities were not disclosed, and a rep indicated that the company was not prepared to divulge the shops just yet.  

Heading up the new operation, which is based in London, is Global Managing Director Robert Hoad. Before joining IPG, Hoad was purchasing logistics manager at UK retailer Mark & Spencer. Before that, he was strategic sourcing manager at Barclays Bank.

Brian McMahon, president and CEO Holdings Worldwide, to whom Hoad will report, called the partnership "a unique value proposition" for sister IPG agencies. “Clients spend a significant amount of money on printed marketing materials, and we know Orion Printing can drive significant savings for them," he stated.

McMahon formed IPG’s corporate trading unit about 15 years ago. It was rebranded Orion in 2009; previously, it was known as Magna Global Trading. The main business acquires and disposes of unwanted assets from clients in exchange for ad time.

Pitney Bowes was founded in 1920 as a postage meter company, but has since expanded into printing and related communications services. It is now a $5.3 billion company with 29,000 employees worldwide.