Hiding in plain site 2 days ago (Saturday afternoon's NYT digital version), we noticed a blurb/ brief mention of what was obviously the biggest merger in the history of the ad industry. Somewhat surprised that this blogger was the first to 'tweet' it, and even more surprised that the story didn't make the Saturday evening news or the following Sunday morning newspapers, we figured that Perry White must have been on holiday in the Hamptons.
Seems we were right on both counts. Omnicom and Publicis Groupe's plan to marry is the MadMen Industry's biggest event since...well certainly since Darrin Stevens took over McMann & Tate and Samantha blinked Tabatha to walk on the moon for a Kodak commercial..
After senior editors and reporters returned from their summer weekend, the 2 day old story appeared on this a.m.'s NYT front page, but only because WSJ cub reporter Jimmy Olsen apparently sent his girlfriend and NYT columnist Lois Lane a txt msg that read: "Ad Industry Merger: "Market Moving to NASDAQ Model" Says Designated Madmen Mogul.".
And the rest, they say, "is history" [in the making]. Jimmy Olsen will undoubtedly be charged by a joint task force led by Eric Holder and Preet Bharara for disclosing insider information. Lois Lane can be expected to be arraigned later today for conspiracy to disclose confidential information that Nasdaq has already negotiated to acquire the merged entity after the merger passed muster with the FTC...
The SEC of course has already put out a statement : "We've heard nothing, we've seen nothing and we know nothing ...about any disclosure of non public information involving any of these very public companies...." An SEC spokesman added (without being authorized to speak or think), "If Nasdaq has actually played a role in bringing these two ad agencies together in anticipation of acquiring that new entity so they could dominate the buying and selling of ad placements via an electronic market...well..that sounds good to me!"
Monday, July 29, 2013
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Boon-Time for Marketing Gurus: Business Owners Are Planning Marketing Blitzes After SEC Action on Unregistered Shares
Today's WSJ Small Business column does a good follow-up re yesterday's post re SEC embracing the JOBS Act..
As a result, some entrepreneurs with businesses ranging from ride-sharing apps to portable farms (to hedge funds!) say they're planning marketing blitzes that they hope will help them reach the right target audiences of potential investors. Under consideration: putting investment offers on billboards and even printing them on T-shirts.
"Whoever has the slickest ads will make the most money here," says Heath Abshure, president of the North American Securities Administrators Association.
Enough said. Until of course, there is a proliferation of frauds and scams--situations that the SEC has little ability to prevent before it happens; best evidenced by the Madoff scandal.
As a result, some entrepreneurs with businesses ranging from ride-sharing apps to portable farms (to hedge funds!) say they're planning marketing blitzes that they hope will help them reach the right target audiences of potential investors. Under consideration: putting investment offers on billboards and even printing them on T-shirts.
"Whoever has the slickest ads will make the most money here," says Heath Abshure, president of the North American Securities Administrators Association.
Enough said. Until of course, there is a proliferation of frauds and scams--situations that the SEC has little ability to prevent before it happens; best evidenced by the Madoff scandal.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Hedge Fund Advertising Strategies Uplifted by SEC
We told you so..(8 months ago!)..
In connection with last year's passing of the JOBS Act, today the SEC is expected to officially approve a new rule that would ease 80 years of advertising restrictions on ways that hedge funds and other companies seeking to raise money through private offerings.
The rule would ease 80 years of advertising restrictions that help ensure small investors aren’t lured into taking inappropriate risks. Under the new rule, startups and other small companies would also be able to use advertising to raise unlimited amounts of money.
“It changes the whole paradigm of who you can talk to,” said Brian J. Lane, a former division director at the SEC and now a partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in Washington. “Hedge funds will benefit because they have the most restrictions on their ability to communicate more broadly about different funds coming to market.”
The rule affects how companies raise money through private offerings, which are exempt from requirements to publicly report financial statements. Private offers are restricted to wealthy investors, who are considered better positioned to understand the risks of investing with less information.
For the full story from Bloomberg LP, please click here
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