• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, April 4, 2018

The kyu Collective, part of Japan-based Hakuhodo DY Holdings, has acquired a majority stake in New York City-based digital media and CRM specialist Kepler Group.

Financial terms were not disclosed. 

Kepler’s integrated digital offering which includes a proprietary targeting and campaign management platform, manages cross-channel customer marketing and nearly $300 million in media spend. Clients include American Express, Bed Bath & Beyond, J. Crew, Fidelity, and 1-800 Contacts.  

“Kepler continues to be one of the fastest-growing digital marketing services companies because the company exemplifies the future of scientific marketing,” stated Michael Birkin, CEO of kyu. “They are a great addition to The kyu Collective of member companies that represent the future in their domain: one of a kind, disruptive, and forward-thinking.” 

Kepler was founded six years and now has 170 employees. 

Part of the acquisition plan is to expand Kepler’s footprint internationally, aided in part by the resources of parent Hakuhodo DY Holdings, which has made significant investments in next-generation media. 

The investment in Kepler is the latest in a string of acquisitions by kyu, including Digital Kitchen and Sid Lee. Birkin, the former Omnicom executive, founded kyu in 2014.

Other specialist shops in its portfolio include BEworks, C2, Hornall Anderson, IDEP, RedPeak Group and SYPartners.