Burson Cohn & Wolfe looks to strengthen creative offerings with HZ acquisition

Among the offerings HZ has brought to its new home in WPP: multichannel digital design and development, mobile activation,social media, brand and identity creation, content, film and video production, search marketing (SEO/SEM), data and analytics as well as integrated media solutions. Its client list has included Hilton Worldwide, Salesforce.org and Tishman Speyer’s Rockefeller Center as well as others crossing various industries.

Donna Imperato, BCW's recently named global chief, said in a statement: “HZ has an extraordinary roster of art directors, copywriters, producers, directors, content creators and digital experts working across a diverse client base."

She added of the merger, with a company BCW had worked with for the past year: "Bringing additional creative firepower to our team strengthens our ability to deliver digitally driven integrated programs grounded in earned engagement and expanded across all channels at scale."

HZ, which was founded over 30 years ago, has been regarded for its design work by various organizations and trades. Its founder and chief creative, Karen Zuckerman has retained her title in the move and will report to Imperato.

Zuckerman added: "We’ve spent the last three decades conceiving and evolving brands with award-winning creative, agile marketing strategies and cutting-edge digital activations. We couldn’t be more thrilled to unite with BCW and to work together to expand our collective abilities on a global stage."

Since its merger in the midst of a full-out WPP stretch of consolidation earlier in the year, BCW has added Jim Joseph back to its staff to lead its brand solutions practice.