Media agency STROOM and performance agency M2|OC are merging under the name STROOM.

The agency will focus on "Mediacommerce", making it the first in a new category of media agencies.

Media agencies M2|OC and STROOM, both part of the Candid platform, announce the integration of the agencies. As of July 3, we will operate jointly under the name STROOM: energy for growth.

The firm is led by Samantha Catsburg (CEO), formerly Managing Director of STROOM. Catsburg is assisted by Chief Client Officer Lars Vink (formerly Managing Director of M2|OC) and Chief Financial Officer Dennis van der Geer. Together they form the board of directors of the media and performance agency.

Integration

This integration allows us to offer a broader and better service. M2|OC's performance and e-commerce specialists are a valuable addition to the current STROOM, and an even broader consultant team is now at the ready for M2|OC clients. The agency comprises a total of 90 media specialists with offices in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. This makes the media performance agency STROOM the best and most complete local agency as an alternative to the large international networks.

Mediacommerce: first in the category

Many brands are currently reaching a growth ceiling, with additional media investment yielding diminishing returns in terms of reach and revenue. STROOM focuses on sustainable growth through Mediacommerce: a data-driven approach makes brand and performance media investments fully accountable, with business results leading the way.

This proposition represents a new category in the communications landscape. A newly developed model underlies it: by making long-term brand developments measurable in the short term, it is possible to effectively manage brand and performance.

"Clients increasingly need growth consulting, guidance on accountable media and both short-term sales and long-term brand building" said Samantha Catsburg, CEO of STROOM. "Breaking the 'performance ceiling', is relevant for all brands. I see it as a huge honor to guide this team of 90 driven colleagues."

Rudiger Wanck, CEO of the Candid platform, added: "The mission of our platform is to reduce complexity in the rapidly evolving media and marketing industry. By bringing the agencies together, we retain - in addition to our brand and comms pillar - our media specialization while combining the strengths of two strong agencies. STROOM can thus not only serve its clients even better but also now joins the largest media agencies in the Netherlands in terms of volume.''

Portfolio

The agency works jointly for national and international A-brands such as ENGIE, Nintendo, DPG, Hero, Omoda, Univé, Amazon Ring, Vakantiediscounter, Maxi-Cosi, Blokker, Delta Fiber, BSH, Dille & Kamille, AFAS software, PwC, Playmobil, Makro and Bike Totaal.

STROOM

The originally Rotterdam-based agency founded in 2002 has experienced a stormy development in recent years. After a reorganization in 2020 and a merger with De Media Maatschap in 2022, new accounts were regularly won such as PwC, Dille & Kamille, Playmobil, Alliander and ONVZ insurance. The agency was voted Agency of the Year three years in a row by EMERCE, MT1000 and FONK. It's not just about media at STROOM. It is a partner in communication for the client that also strategically looks at brand and marketing communication for optimal media advice.

M2|OC

M2Media and Online Company have a rich history before they merged in 2023 to form M2|OC.
M2Media was founded 21 years ago, in 2003. It was a Hilversum-based media agency specializing in strategy and media investments. Online Company was formed 18 years ago, in 2006. This agency specialized in performance marketing, e-commerce and digital channels.

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Press contact:

Martijn Jaartsveld, Strategy Director STROOM
Martijn@stroom.com
06 38 14 49 28

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About Candid

We are Candid. We are creating the next generation of a global full-service marketing and communications group, based in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp and London. By reducing complexity using connected tech and AI, we are the first player to truly break the silos in our industry.

As a platform, we enable our specialized agencies to focus on what they do best: individually and collectively creating meaningful and authentic marketing and communications solutions that drive growth for their clients and their brands. As a platform, we do not merge our disciplines, but develop three pillars of dedicated specialized agencies organized around Brand, Comms and Media.