March 21, 2016

Environics Analytics acquires the Boire Filler Group

TORONTO--Environics Analytics (EA) has acquired the Boire Filler Group, a Toronto-based marketing company that specializes in predictive analytics, data management, business intelligence and customer-centric services. Under terms of the agreement, Boire Filler’s offerings will be integrated into EA’s products and services suite, providing clients of both companies an expanded range of data and analytics services, including data cleansing, integration, modelling and management.

Since its founding in 1999 by industry veterans Richard Boire and Larry Filler, the Boire Filler Group has been assisting clients—such as Hudson Bay Company, Nestle, CAA and Whirlpool—by providing predictive modelling and data management support for marketing and communications strategies. Boire, with a 30-year career in data mining and analytics, is a nationally recognized expert in the database and data analytics industry. Filler has over 25 years of experience in relationship and database marketing, most recently focusing on transforming data into insights that can be leveraged to drive more effective CRM results. Together, they have assisted clients representing a range of industry sectors, including technology, financial services, retail, automotive, packaged goods, loyalty, travel and not-for-profit. As part of the agreement, ten members of Boire Filler, including data analysts and client managers, will join EA’s staff.

Boire Filler’s offerings will enhance EA’s suite of proprietary data, purpose-built software and industry-focused analytics for such applications as customer segmentation and site modelling as well as custom analytics. EA already produces the most comprehensive set of marketing-related data available in Canada, with more than 18,000 variables for every postal code in the country. Its PRIZM5 segmentation system classifies Canadians into 68 lifestyle types to help marketers develop their target marketing and messaging campaigns. And ENVISION5, EA’s micromarketing and business intelligence platform, provides users with extensive data, mapping and analytics for customer insights, trade area analysis and media planning.

“We’re delighted to add Boire Filler’s well-regarded services and expertise to our core offerings,” says Jan Kestle, president and founder of EA. “Like EA, they have grown their business and capabilities at a time when forward-thinking organizations have come to realize the importance of data and analytics to effective decision making. Boire Filler’s modelling and data management services will complement our offerings, providing additional analytics expertise to help clients engage their customers. More and more, clients in our industry are looking for a one-stop shop to gain a 360-degree view of the customer.”

“We see this acquisition as part of the evolution of the market,” says Larry Filler of Boire Filler. “Today’s clients want to leverage data and analytics to create the best customer experiences. This union will allow marketers to get closer to their customers.”

“By joining with EA,” adds Richard Boire, “we will be able to access EA’s incredible data and services and strengthen the analytics, modelling, consulting and data management expertise that we offer. I truly believe that by joining the talents and experience of our two companies, we’ve created a powerful organization that is greater than the sum of its parts.”

The Boire Filler agreement marks EA’s fourth significant acquisition in the last year. The company earlier acquired SMR and Pivotal Contact as it broadens its data, analytics and consulting offerings while solidifying its reputation, brand and industry leadership. Two months ago, EA acquired select assets of ACNielsen Canada related to the provision of Spectra products and services in Canada.

The premier marketing and analytical services company in Canada, Environics Analytics helps customers turn data and analytics into insight, strategy and engagement. EA offers the full range of analytical services—from data supplier to strategic consultancy—and provides over-the-counter reports, purpose-built software-as-a-service and a wide variety of modelling approaches. Its team of quantitative marketers, modellers and geographers are expert at helping organizations identify their business challenges, develop data-driven solutions and achieve success along every phase of their analytics journey. EA is a member of the Environics group, a unique alliance of companies dedicated to providing intelligent research, analytics and communications.