Global consultancy firm Accenture is rumoured to be part of a small group of bidders looking to acquire ad agency group MDC Partners.
According to a report in Adweek, sources have revealed the consultancy is interested in MDC Partners' 50 agencies globally, including 72andSunny, which has offices in Australia.
The report adds that deadlines for bids were in late November, with Accenture part of the final three companies involved in the process.
Accenture has stated that it would not comment on the rumours, declining to confirm as to whether it was interested in the business.
The deal is in-keeping with Accenture's current strategy to build out its Interactive division, with the organisation purchasing multiple shops around the globe in recent years, including The Monkeys in Australia.
Earlier this year Accenture Interactive opened a digital ad-buying division with promises of total transparency, sending shockwaves through the industry.
Industry leaders highlighted concerns that Accenture’s move into media buying presents a conflict of interest when paired with the media auditing and advisory services they already provide to the market.
Accenture now offers planning, strategy, buying, management of programmatic ad campaigns and ad tech support, as well as helping clients move their programmatic in-house – a service it has offered for some time.
Accenture and MDC Partners have been approached for comment.
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