Deloitte acquires digital marketing and analytics firm

Toronto, February 21, 2017—Today, Deloitte announced the acquisition of Cornerstone Group of Companies, a Toronto-based digital marketing and analytics firm with more than a quarter century of success in customer acquisition and retention. Cornerstone Group of Companies adds to the firm’s spectrum of analytics capabilities. Its analytics division joins Deloitte’s Financial Advisory practice to build out a suite of consumer risk products and services, including data products and list services, data marketing and insights and digital marketing. Cornerstone’s fundraising division joins Deloitte’s Risk Advisory practice to complement its lottery services with multi-channel donation and event processing, donor data management, and mobile engagement.

“Cornerstone Group of Companies has built its reputation on providing multi-channel marketing expertise using cutting-edge technology and powerful information,” said Anthony Viel, Managing Partner, Deloitte Analytics. “Its extensive spectrum of capabilities enables us to provide a more complete and seamless product and service suite to help Chief Strategy Officers, Chief Marketing Officers and Heads of Sales and Business Development make better and more effective decisions to organically grow faster and more efficiently.”

Organic growth continues to be at the forefront of challenges facing Canadian businesses, particularly with the influx of international competitors and online retailers. Cornerstone’s broader spectrum of analytics and digital abilities and its proprietary and purpose-built data assets will make it possible for clients to complete the last mile of their customer acquisition, engagement, and retention experience in a holistic way.

With Cornerstone’s donation processing and fundraising services, clients will be able to further maximize donor relationships with secure processing across all channels, including phone, direct mail, and mobile. Data analysis and donor data base management will help clients enhance donor engagement.

“Deloitte offers a platform for Cornerstone’s next stage of growth and investment. Joining forces with a leading professional services firm creates an opportunity for innovation and growth for our team to take their skillsets to the next level. This will in turn better meet the needs of clients,” said Ossie Hinds, Founder and CEO of Cornerstone Group of Companies. “Now with Deloitte, we are well poised to own the customer and marketing services market.”

“Dedication, integrity, and delivery of high-quality work along with an emphasis on talent growth and development are values shared by Cornerstone and Deloitte,” said Janet Lewell, Managing Partner, Risk Advisory for Deloitte in Canada. “Cornerstone complements the firm’s overall business-to-business strategy to develop meaningful client relationships and revenue streams through technology and analytics solutions.”

Ossie Hinds and a team of 169 professionals will join Deloitte. Deloitte’s Corporate Development Office (CDO) supported the transaction. Deloitte’s CDO actively pursues and responds to organizations through merger, acquisition, and alliance opportunities that align with the firm’s commitment to client service excellence.

About Deloitte

Deloitte, one of Canada's leading professional services firms, provides audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services. Deloitte LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership, is the Canadian member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see www.deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its member firms.