Publicis Groupe-owned ZenithOptimedia has acquired SEO (search engine optimization) agency AKM3 in Europe — a transaction that has been approved by the German Federal Cartel Office. Founded in 2011, Berlin-based AKM3 staffs more than a 100 employees, its roster of clients including Zalando, Teufel Audio, ProSiebenSat1 and Axel Springer.
The agency will be aligned with ZenithOptimedia group’s digital performance marketing agency, Performics — which has been a leading player in performance marketing in Germany since 2011. As such, AKM3 will operate under its existing management team of Maik Metzen, Markus Koczy and Andre Alpar, who will lead the newly aligned company as CEO, reporting to Frank-Peter Lortz, chairman ZenithOptimedia Germany.
Commenting on the acquisition, Frank-Peter Lortz, chairman at ZenithOptimedia Germany, said in a statement: “AKM3 is a natural fit with Performics, and the combined offering will take ZenithOptimedia’s performance marketing expertise to the next level. This acquisition will make us a top three performance agency in Germany.” Andre Alpar, CEO at AKM3, also added in the statement: “We are very excited about becoming part of the Publicis Groupe. Our alignment with Performics will enable us to enhance our service to large international clients and to benefit from market-leading tools and resources.”
