Vision7 agencies join forces with Cogint

Blue Focus International, the China-based holding company that owns Vision7 and its Canadian agencies, will join Florida-based Cogint to create a new standalone company. Vision7 Canadian agencies include Jungle Media, Cossette Canada and Citizen Relations. Cogint’s business includes data-driven performance marketing company Fluent. Blue Focus will own 63% of the combined company, which is expected to have annual revenue of $500 million in 2018. The deal values the Cogint business at $415 million.

LinkedIn launches native advertising network

LinkedIn has officially begun rolling out the LinkedIn Audience Network, a global native advertising network that places sponsored content from third-party publishers on mobile and desktop. The network launched following a beta period that tested with more than 6,000 advertisers. According to LinkedIn, participants saw a three to 13% increase in unique impressions through the program.

Russ Holden retires from Rogers Media

Veteran traffic reporter Russ Holden, who recently celebrated 50 years at Rogers Media, recently announced his retirement from 680 News and Breakfast Television Toronto earlier this week. He was the second longest-serving employee ever at Rogers. He joined the company in 1967, working in the operations department at 98.1 CHFI, and began working as a traffic reporter shortly thereafter.

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