kyu Acquires Digital Marketing Agency Kepler Group

The kyu Collective, a strategic operating unit of Hakuhodo DY Holdings (HDY), announced that it has acquired a majority stake in six-year-old independent digital marketing services company Kepler Group.

Kepler’s integrated digital offering helps advertisers more precisely and profitably engage consumers across media and customer marketing channels. Utilizing its transparent buying model and proprietary targeting and campaign management platform, the fast-rising agency manages cross-channel customer marketing and nearly $300 million in media spend. It works on behalf of such clients as 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,” explained Michael Birkin, CEO of kyu. “They are a great addition to The kyu Collective of member companies who represent the future in their domain: one of a kind, disruptive, and forward-thinking.”

Kepler has built a powerful differentiator, the Kepler Intelligence Platform™ (KIP), its own software platform that integrates and customizes target data to deliver highly personal marketing across multiple platforms and channels. KIP is distinguished by its ability to centralize data integration, automate campaign design and optimization, and deliver real-time insights.  With a deep bench of senior level marketing, tech and business strategists, Kepler’s investment in its 170 employee base has earned the agency past rankings as one of the “Best Places to Work” on Glassdoor and Ad Age.

In commenting on Kepler’s decision to join kyu, Rick Greenberg, Founding CEO of Kepler said, “Kepler’s role is to be the activation engine for smarter marketing. We’re at our best when we have a better understanding of what motivates people. We use data science to build higher quality models and algorithms, and we deliver maximum results when able to collaborate with forward thinking creative partners. kyu’s portfolio companies are leaders in each of these areas. Together we can offer clients everything they need to achieve success in today’s more personalized, tech-driven marketing environment.”

James Brett, the CEO of J.Crew, commented: “Kepler is more than just another agency capable of using data to optimize results. They deliver timely value and targeted impact in a nimble fashion, and I admire their approach.”

In addition to being part of kyu, Kepler will also have access to the resources of kyu’s parent company Hakuhodo DY Holdings Inc., which has made significant investments in next-generation media. These resources will also be important as Kepler expands its footprint in global markets.

kyu has made a number of strategic acquisitions since its founding in 2014. Its member companies include BEworks, C2, Digital Kitchen, Hornall Anderson, IDEO, RedPeak Group, Sid Lee, and SYPartners.