Urban Science has added staff in downtown Detroit through organic growth. This fall it's adding some through acquisition.
The automotive retail consulting firm acquired AutoHook, a digital marketing division of New York City-based
HookLogic. The division called downtown Ann Arbor home until the acquisition, when its 17 employees relocated to Urban Science's offices in the Renaissance Center.
"They are already here," says Jim Anderson, CEO of
Urban Science. "We didn't waste any time."
Urban Science provides analytical and software solutions for automotive OEMs and their dealers. It got its start in 1977 with a few thousand square feet of newly built Ren Cen. Today is occupies several floors of the skyscraper. Urban Science has a staff of 870 people, about 370 of whom are based in its Detroit headquarters, which is up about percent over the last year.
AutoHook provides digital marketing solutions, specifically focused on driving in-market shoppers directly to dealerships. This sort of sales lead generation is meant to help move Urban Science's business model to a more digital orientation.
"It's part of the evolution of our product," Anderson says. "It's one more step that leads to a more robust solution for us."
Source: Jim Anderson, CEO of Urban Science
Writer: Jon Zemke
Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
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