Sorrell's S4 Confirms MightyHive Discussions

Sir Martin Sorrell's new company S4 Capital has confirmed that it is in 'advanced discussions' regarding the potential acquisition of San Francisco-based online advertising and marketing services firm MightyHive.

S4 Capital acts as a vehicle to buy marketing firms, the first of which was Dutch digital production company MediaMonks in July. According to reports last month, S4 is in a bidding war with China's data technology company BlueFocus to acquire MightyHive for around $200m.

MightyHive, which is led by former Google and Yahoo! exec Peter Kim (pictured), provides programmatic buying and analytics capabilities for media buying, tracking and targeting. Last month, the firm received Google Analytics Sales certification for Australia and New Zealand, while appointing Jakub Otrzasek as Director of Analytics, APAC. The company is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in New York, London, Singapore, Stockholm, Sydney, and Toronto.

S4 said in a statement that if completed the potential transaction would fit its strategy of creating a 'new era, new media solution embracing data, content and technology' for global, multi-national, regional and local clients and for digital brands. At present, there is 'no certainty' as to whether the potential transaction will occur.

Web sites: www.s4capital.com and www.mightyhive.com .