Sir Martin Sorrell closes out 2010 with the announcement that his WPP acquired U.S./U.K.-based operation, Blue State Digital, which develops campaigns not only for corporate brands (HBO, AT&T, etc.), but works on political initiatives as well as fundraising efforts for nonprofits and cultural institutions.
The six-year-old BSD seems to takes its name seriously as it was the digital firm behind 2008’s “Obama for America” online campaign and does work for the Edward R. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate among several others. In a statement regarding the acquisition of BSD, which will be housed within the WPP Digital arm, the holding company’s EVP, public relations and public affairs Howard Paster says, “I’ve witnessed first-hand Blue State Digital’s political prowess and I am very impressed by their ability to take their political and organizing skills and apply them to a wide array of challenges. Providing services that span the political, not-for-profit and commercial worlds is not always easy, but BSD masters it. They are a welcome addition to WPP Digital.”
BSD currently employs 130 people across offices in Washington DC, Boston, New York, Los Angeles and London.