The Richards Group Selects Imagine Communications’ Complete Media and Agency Management Solution

Largest independent U.S. branding agency uses integrated software to help clients monetize cross-platform campaigns in a multiscreen world

Imagine Communications, a market leader in advertising optimization and video infrastructure solutions serving global TV networks, broadcast stations, multichannel video programming distributors (MVPD), governments and enterprise markets, today announced that it will supply The Richards Group, the largest independent branding agency in the United States, with its Landmark™ Agency management system. By providing one centralized system designed to control business processes, Landmark Agency enables agency clients to better monetize cross-platform campaigns in a multiscreen world. The renewal contract extends a relationship dating back to the 1990s.

“For years, Imagine Communications has enabled us to maximize our advertising effectiveness with powerful, centralized systems for managing traditional linear and nonlinear media, print and digital campaigns,” said Jim Gaither, Principal of Brand Media at The Richards Group. “As consumers increasingly engage with multiscreen content and media companies embrace new monetization models such as addressable, impression-based advertising, Imagine Communications’ solutions will be paramount as they help us manage our business and digital invoice discrepancies, helping to ensure that employee time is used effectively. The level of commitment to service we receive from the Imagine Communications support team is unrivaled, and we are looking forward to continuing our relationship.”

Formerly called Enterprise Agency Suite, Landmark Agency is a set of interoperable software tools for media management, account management, creative, traffic, production and financials. Its open architecture equips customers with flexible billing and financials, as well as enhanced reporting. Through extensive partnerships, the software offers the ability to fully access and leverage key industry data, enabling users to automate and improve workflow management efficiencies and improve client relationships.

“As the demand for live programming to mobile and connected screens continues to grow, the media and entertainment markets are looking for better ways to monetize their content, which increases workflow management challenges for advertisers,” said Steve Reynolds, CTO at Imagine Communications. “By fully integrating media, production and financial requirements into one system, we give our agency clients greater control and management of the entire business , in addition to cross media and client profitability reporting. The Richards Group has been a valuable customer of ours for a long time, and we are thrilled to continue servicing the largest independent and one of the most prestigious agencies in the country.”

For more information about Imagine Communications advertising agency solutions, visit www.imaginecommunications.com

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About Imagine Communications

Imagine Communications empowers the media and entertainment industry through transformative innovation. Broadcasters, networks, video service providers and enterprises around the world rely on our optimized, futureproof, multiscreen video and revenue enablement solutions every day to support their mission-critical operations. Today, nearly half of the world’s video channels traverse our products, and our software solutions drive close to a third of global ad revenue. Through continuous innovation, we are delivering the most advanced IP, cloud-enabled, software-defined network and workflow solutions in the industry. Visit www.imaginecommunications.com for more information, and follow us on Twitter @imagine_comms.

About The Richards Group
The Richards Group, located in Dallas, is the largest independent branding agency in the nation.  Agency clients include the standard-setting brands of Chick-fil-A, Chuck E. Cheese’s, FIAT USA, GameStop, The Home Depot, MetroPCS, Motel 6, Orkin, Pier 1 Imports, Ram Trucks and TGI Fridays.  Total billings for the agency were $1.35 billion in 2013.  The Richards Group can be found at Richards.com and on Twitter at @RichardsGroup.