Three major media services firms - U.S.'s Horizon Media, Canada's Cossette Media and the U.K.'s BLM - have joined to form Columbus Media International. The merger also includes independents from 13 countries, MediaPost reports (via MediaBuyerPlanner).

Considered a global network, the new company will operate from North America, Europe, Russia and Asia/Pacific. The group will be headquartered in two central offices, in New York and London. The business will offer an alternative solution for international marketers who are unsatisfied with their multinational media agencies.

Horizon is the 13th largest media-buying agency in the U.S. with $1.3 billion in projected 2006 media billings, according to estimates by RECMA.