Prophet Deepens Digital Fluency with Acquisition of Material Group, Chicago Digital Firm

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Prophet today announced that it has acquired Material Group, a Chicago-based digital design and development studio, for an undisclosed sum.

Prophet is a strategic brand and marketing consultancy that helps its clients win by delivering inspired and actionable ideas.

The acquisition comes as Prophet is growing its digital fluency and expertise, not merely in terms of digital strategies in and of themselves, but as a broader lens to be applied to the big picture issues that clients face, according to Michael Dunn, Chief Executive Officer of Prophet.

He added: "The better our digital fluency, the better we can address how digital can advance customer engagement and encourage shared storytelling; how it serves as a sales channel; and how to think about return on digital investments.

"The idea is to serve all of the marketer's customer and growth challenges. Our business and brand-driven approach empowers our clients to take on digital differently. By helping them stay ahead of the curve on digital, we increase their ability to win in today's fast-changing marketplace," he said.

Material Group was founded in 2010 by Phil Rampulla, a former Leo Burnett creative, and Mitch Lawin, an experienced digital and broadcast producer. The firm blends design, technology, and creative thinking to enable brands to interact with their audiences in new and relevant ways.

In the two years since its founding, Material Group has ramped up rapidly by creating social media initiatives, sites, mobile apps, and touch screen kiosks for such name clients as Samsung, McDonald's, SC Johnson, Starbucks, and Electronic Arts.

With the acquisition, Rampulla and Lawin will take on the titles of Creative Director and Executive Producer, respectively, at Prophet.  Material's staff of 20 will be integrated into Prophet, as well.

Material Group's Rampulla noted: "This is a great opportunity for us to take what we do and expand it to new geographies and clients. We look forward to the opportunity to play an even more strategic and integral role in how clients engage their customers and build their brands."

This is Prophet's fourth acquisition in recent years as it continues to expand its global presence and enrich its capabilities. In July it acquired Atlanta-based brand, marketing, and innovation firm (r)evolution. In early 2011, it acquired the German management consultancy Noshokaty, Döring & Thun (NDT), based in Berlin; in 2009, it acquired Play, a leading creativity and innovation company based in Richmond, Va.

Media contact: Sally Saville Hodge, Hodge Media Strategies, 773-325-9282 or [email protected].

SOURCE Prophet

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