CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZenithOptimedia today announces the acquisition of AKM3, a leading SEO age...

1. ZenithOptimedia acquires leading German SEO agency
AKM3 and aligns to Performics
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZenithOptimedia today announces the acquisition of AKM3, a leading
SEO agency in Europe. The transaction is subject to the approval of the German Federal Cartel
Office.
Founded in 2011 and based in Berlin, AKM3 provides clients the full range of services needed for
successful search engine optimization. The fast-growing company has more than 100 employees and
has built up an impressive list of blue chip clients, such as Zalando, Teufel Audio, ProSiebenSat1 and
Axel Springer.
Under the terms of the acquisition, AKM3 will be aligned with digital performance marketing agency
Performics, part of the ZenithOptimedia group. This will enhance Performics' digital offering and
will see the two aligned companies become the leader in SEO in Germany.
SEO is one of the fastest growing segments of performance marketing and has been a key driver in
the success of Performics. Today, Performics is a global leader in performance marketing and has
been a leading player in Germany since 2011.
The agency 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.
Frank-Peter Lortz, Chairman, ZenithOptimedia Germany, said: "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, AKM3, said: "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."
About ZenithOptimedia
ZenithOptimedia - www.zenithoptimedia.com - is a leading global media services network with over
7,400 people working in 262 offices across 74 countries. We are part of Publicis Groupe, the world's
third largest communications group, and the world's second largest media counsel and buying
group. As the first agency to apply a rigorous and objective approach to improving the effectiveness
of marketing spend, ZenithOptimedia delivers to clients the best possible return on their
communications investment. This philosophy is supported by a unique approach to strategy
development and implementation across the full spectrum of paid, owned and earned contact points
- the Live ROI planning process. The ZenithOptimedia Group of companies equips our clients with a
full range of integrated skills across communications planning, value optimisation, performance
media and content creation. Our key clients include Armani Group, ASUS, Aviva, BBC Worldwide,
Bacardi-Martini, Electrolux, General Mills, Lactalis, LVMH, Nestlé, News Corporation, L'Oréal,
Oracle, Puma, Qantas, Reckitt Benckiser, Richemont Group, Royal Bank of Scotland, Sanofi, SCA,
Telefónica O2, Toyota/Lexus, Verizon and Whirlpool.

2. About Performics
Performics is a global performance marketing agency for the world's most respected brands. The
agency activates data to motivate participation, drive performance and optimize for action across
paid, earned and owned digital channels. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Chicago, the
Performics network is active across 32 countries. Performics is a ZenithOptimedia company and the
performance marketing specialist within Publicis Groupe. www.performics.com
About AKM3
AKM3 is one of the leading online marketing agencies in Germany. Client services include SEO, SEA
and content marketing. With more than 100 employees working at the company's office in Berlin,
AKM3 is able to offer its services internationally in 10 languages to blue chip clients such as
Zalando, ProSiebenSat1 and Axel Springer. The founders Andre Alpar, Maik Metzen and Markus
Koczy frequently appear as speakers at industry events and have published various books and
articles.