CSM Sport & Entertainment has acquired N.Y.-based experiential and event agency LeadDog Marketing Group, the "latest action by the U.K. agency holding group, which is building its American capabilities," according to Terry Lefton in this week's SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. With around 170 staffers, LeadDog "doubles CSM’s U.S. workforce." LeadDog, which was founded by Dan Mannix in '99, "specializes in cause marketing, with events including the Avon Walk to End Breast Cancer." The agency's "other competencies include corporate and property consulting, digital marketing, hospitality, promotion, design and branding." LeadDog will "retain its name, offices and much of its autonomy." The acquisition is the "latest in a series of moves this year by CSM in the U.S., where it’s adding capabilities and senior executive talent." Since February, it has acquired LeadDog, along with live event agency JHE Production, and hired former Octagon President & COO Jeff Shifrin as North American CEO, along with former Jack Morton President Rob McQueen to build a consulting practice as CSM North America President (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/31 issue).
