Blast to help Wunderman
pack heavier punch online

It seems the final days of independent global digital agencies are upon us.

WPP-owned direct marketer Wunderman has acquired ten-year-old Blast Radius, giving it more bulk and reach, according to ClickZ.

Additionally, Wunderman will acquire Blast's expertise in the field of "incubation of communities around brands, including on social networking sites."

Blast CEO Gurbal Caer says its knowledge with connecting brands with users on social networks will come in handy for Wunderman's foundations in relationship marketing, and will help it to become more capable of telling a story.

Wunderman's ethos characteristically revolves around data and results.

Blast employs 400 people in six cities in the US and Europe. It has worked with brands like Nike, Whirlpool, Starbucks, and Rubbermaid.

Wunderman appears to like the taste of digital. In June '06 it acquired ZAAZ, which was preceded by Bridge Worldwide, Aqua Online, and These Days.