��������pk10

The deal for iProspect.com will be made in two parts – £16.7m up front and then a further payment of £9.4m over two years if the business succeeds in terms of performance.

The purchase follows a period of growth for Isobar in the past six months with a massive focus on digital marketing across the Aegis network.

Doug Flynn, chief executive of Aegis, said: “Digital media will become the dominant delivery mechanism for media and advertising.

“Understanding the ways in which the internet can be used to effectively develop consumer interest and drive sales is the holy grail of marketers.

“We are very impressed with the vision of iProspect and are very keen to develop this part of the business into a true international capability.'

Earlier in 2004, the Massachusetts-based company was named among the top 50 fastest growing companies in the US.

Meanwhile Aegis has delivered positive Christmas message for staff at its constituent agencies Carat and Vizeum, reporting an increase in turnover and a positive outlook for 2005.

Throughout European territories, Aegis lead agency Carat won a number of key accounts including the £45m Lego and the £20m GE Consumer Finance accounts, although the agency did admit that its France division had experienced a number of client ”defections” towards the end of the year.

According to Aegis, Vizeum also had good business growth in Europe with a number of significant client wins including Heinz in the UK, the Five and Npower.

The agency also picked up the £32m pan-European account for electrical goods manufacturer Panasonic.

Aegis also launched digital marketing network, Isobar in July, which tied up the network’s digital assets under the one umbrella brand.

The company’s fortunes were also boosted in the US when they gained the communications planning brief for FMCG giant Procter & Gamble.

Speaking in September, Flynn said: “Our media businesses are winning significantly more than their share of new business.

“I am confident Aegis will deliver another good performance for the full year.”

By Mark Banham and Kevin May