SAN FRANCISCO — W2O Group has reported 2016 revenues of $123m, representing eye-catching growth of 33%, powered in part by acquisitions.

The independent PR holding group, which will turn 16 this year, races past the $100m threshold after selling a stake in the fast-growing business to Mountaingate Capital last year. Since then, it has acquired three firms —  Pure, Marketeching and Sentient — helping it to expand its digital, analytics, martech and healthcare capabilities.

"2016 was an incredible year of growth, transformation and assimilation of new capabilities and talent all directed at providing clients with the strongest counsel and support as they navigate the new digital communications reality," said W2O founder and CEO Jim Weiss.

The leaders of the three acquired agencies have all taken on new roles within W2O Group firms and practices: Andrea Johnston leads Pure (which has been combined with Brew Life) as president; Kevin Johnson oversees healthcare analytics as president of Marketeching reporting to Seth Duncan, chief analytics officer; Adam Cossman, co-founder of Sentient, was named chief digital officer; and, Jeff Rohwer, co-founder of Sentient, leads the digital strategy and media team. 

W2O vice-chair and chief innovation officer Bob Pearson noted that the group's growth reflected its rejection of "conventional thinking".

"W2O Group is creating the communications and marketing consultancy of the future with a focus on analytics, digital expertise, audience comprehension and brand connectivity that results in business-driving relevance for our clients."