iCrossing Acquires NewGate

iCrossing, a digital marketing agency committed to people's desire to find, announced today that it has acquired the Bay-area-based search marketing agency NewGate Internet, Inc. The acquisition builds upon the long- standing success of iCrossing, strengthening the company's paid media practice as well as its retail vertical expertise.

NewGate's retail-focused client roster includes world-class brands such as Gap Inc. and LEGO. In addition, the NewGate deal will bring dedicated reputation management and word-of-mouth marketing practices to iCrossing. NewGate will be integrated into iCrossing's San Francisco office under the iCrossing brand.

"Search engine marketing is the fastest-growing, but least understood area within the interactive marketing industry," said Jeffrey Herzog, founder and CEO, iCrossing. "iCrossing and NewGate share a common vision for making search the go-to medium for marketers. This acquisition builds our San Francisco presence, retail expertise and, with our newly combined talent and technologies, confirms our leadership in paid search."

This news follows a number of moves by iCrossing to fortify its future growth and leadership position in the interactive industry. In March, the company bolstered its executive team with the addition of two interactive industry authorities, including former Agency.com CEO, Don Scales, as President and COO, and former Myspace.com Chairman and current Demand Media CEO, Richard Rosenblatt, as Chairman. In June, iCrossing announced that it had closed a $15 million Series D round with Oak Investment Partners followed by the addition of two office locations in Atlanta and Dallas.

The company has received several industry accolades this year, including being named "2005 Agency of the Year: Best Search," and one of the "Top 25 Interactive Agencies," by OMMA: The Magazine of Online Media, Marketing & Advertising (OMMA). Most recently, iCrossing was named the second-largest search marketing agency by AdvertisingAge.

About iCrossing

iCrossing (www.icrossing.com) is a different kind of digital marketing agency committed to people's desire to find. The company develops online campaigns, programs and experiences designed to help people find what they are searching for. Through a proven combination of talent and technology, iCrossing helps its global client base -- including 32 Fortune 500 companies -- find solutions for complex digital marketing challenges. Founded in 1998, the company is headquartered in Scottsdale with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, New York and San Francisco. iCrossing was named the 2005 Agency of the Year: Best Search and one of the Top 25 Interactive Agencies by OMMA: The Magazine of Online Media, Marketing & Advertising (OMMA). iCrossing was also ranked no. 2 of the Top 20 search marketing agencies by Advertising Age.