EXL acquires analytics firm RPM Direct for $47 million

EXL, a leading business process solutions company, has announced that it has agreed to acquire RPM Direct, LLC. The merger consideration for RPM is $47 million in cash plus contingent cash consideration of up to $23 million and $4 million of restricted stock. The acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of 2015.

RPM specialises in analysing large consumer data sets to segment populations, predict response rates, forecast customer lifetime value, design and execute targeted, multi-channel marketing campaigns. RPM has focused on the insurance industry, including property & casualty, life and health, since its inception in 2001.

Rohit Kapoor, Vice Chairman and CEO, EXL, stated, "RPM possesses a unique combination of strong analytical and data management capabilities with deep industry expertise in the P&C, life and health insurance markets. With a delivery model that creates accountability by generating measureable results, clients value RPM's acumen in combining its proprietary database with marketing analytics to optimize customer acquisition and retention while improving the profitability of their books of business.  We are extremely impressed with the calibre of professionals across the organization, and I personally want to welcome each and every one of RPM's employees to the EXL family."

"As a firm that has taken a disciplined approach to providing marketing analytics exclusively for insurance carriers, RPM is highly specialized and could only fit with a like-minded partner," said Dave Denaci, Founder and CEO, RPM.  "With its combination of rich insurance industry experience and its powerful analytics offering, EXL is truly an ideal organization for RPM to leverage to accelerate its growth.  In our discussions, it was clear we share a similar perspective on the market and on the compelling opportunities before us.  We are excited to join such a dynamic organization and participate in executing the strategic vision that I believe will deliver great value for our clients."

RPM maintains its own database and supports data on over 250 million consumers and 120 million US households.  The quantity and unique combination of data attributes managed by RPM drives optimal, data-driven decision-making and enable it to build models that analyze prospects individually.  RPM employs proprietary predictive analytics and domain-specific pattern recognition algorithms to deliver results through a flexible, on-demand service model.

"When it comes to Big Data, RPM has extensive experience resulting from years of work with large volumes of complex data sets," said, EXL President and CEO, Pavan Bagai. "Their database management and digital marketing capabilities complement EXL's own sophisticated analytical modeling and reporting offerings, and will help us offer an end-to-end marketing analytics solution.  We are confident that, together, we are better equipped to tap the large demand for such marketing solutions. The acquisition of RPM will boost the talent pool and scale of EXL Analytics and enhance our ability to develop analytics products and drive non-linear revenue growth."

As per the press statement, RPM will become part of the EXL Analytics group, an industry-leading team of over 1,500 data scientists that combines award-winning, quantitative problem-solving with analytical rigor and industry expertise to identify new channels for growth, improve profitability, minimize risk, boost operational efficiency and create frameworks for regulatory compliance.