MEDIA Central and Flipp join forces to create a global leader in drive-to-store marketing

MEDIA Central Group (“MEDIA Central”) and Flipp Group (“Flipp”), leading providers in the European and North American market for drive-to-store marketing, announce a strategic partnership.

In today’s rapidly evolving retail landscape, effective offer communication is crucial for reaching price-sensitive customers who increasingly search across multiple channels before making purchases. The ground-breaking joining of forces between MEDIA Central Group and Flipp creates a new global leader in drive-to-store marketing, addressing these challenges head-on. The new entity connects thousands of leading retailers and brands with more than 400 million consumers in 27 markets in Europe, North America, Latin America and Australia.

This partnership increases innovation in drive-to-store marketing and accelerates the expansion of technological platforms and international reach. It will provide clients with unparalleled access to shoppers worldwide, supported by cutting-edge technology to drive local sales. At the same time, it opens up new, targeted and measurable advertising opportunities for brands in the emerging retail media sector.

Flipp, a Canadian technology company and leader in digital merchandising, helps major retailers and brands in the US and Canada optimize their digital offerings. With tools to create and distribute local advertising, Flipp reaches millions of delighted customers, maximizing the efficiency of marketing investments.

The MEDIA Central Group is Europe’s number one player for drive-to-store marketing, offering data-driven 360° solutions to major retailers and brands across Europe, Australia, and Latin America. The Group includes a Classic Unit, with MEDIA Central market leader in haptic communication, and a Digital Unit, combining ShopFully, the largest European drive-to-store platform, Offerista and Yagora. The companies  will maintain their brands and continue serving customers in their respective markets.

Ingo Wienand, CEO Classic MEDIA Central: “With our new partnership with Flipp, we are now consistently pursuing the path of globalization in order to offer our customers worldwide more comprehensive, tailor-made and innovative solutions. In the MEDIA Central Group, we are combining our strengths and expertise to support retailers as a strong partner in the increasingly complex communication of offers. Our aim is to work together to master the challenges of global markets, taking into account their specific characteristics, and to offer our customers maximum added value.”

Stefano Portu, CEO Digital MEDIA Central, comments: “Following the combination of MEDIA Central and ShopFully last year, this transaction is the natural next step in our strategy, creating the global leader in Drive-to-Store Marketing. Leveraging ShopFully and Offerista unique, AI-powered marketing tech platform and investing jointly into product and technology will allow us to offer even greater value to our customers worldwide.”

Michael Silverman, CEO of Flipp, adds: “Shoppers expect seamless personalized experiences across their shopper journey, spanning both in-store and online touchpoints. This merger marks an exciting new chapter, enabling us to harness the combined power of Flipp and MEDIA Central to deliver cutting-edge drive-to-store solutions. This will ensure that shoppers are empowered with critical shopping content, while retailers and brands can leverage their promotions to drive shopper engagement.”

The transaction is expected to close by Q4 2024, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Founded in 2007, Flipp is a technology platform that is reinventing the way people plan their weekly shopping trips. The largest retailers and brands in North America use the Flipp Platform to create, curate and distribute digital visual merchandising experiences and savings content to over 100 million high intent shoppers.  Households use Flipp as their primary weekly shopping tool to decide what to buy and where to buy. On average, Flipp helps shoppers save $45 on their weekly groceries, home improvement goods, electronics, pharmacy, apparel, pets supplies and more. For more information, visit corp.flipp.com