7 Businesses That Went From Black-Owned To Corporate Entities

Translation Consulting and Brand Imaging – acquired by Interpublic Group in 2007 for a reported sum of between $10 and $15 million

Owned by marketing heavyweight Steve Stoute, Translation Consulting and Brand Imaging was an agency that specialized in helping celebrities partner up with major corporate sponsors and launch joint marketing campaigns aimed at the urban and youth demographics.  Translation’s clients included numerous celebrities, such as Jay-Z, Beyonce, and T.I. and the company was responsible for several highly successful advertising campaigns. In late 2007, Translation Consulting was acquired by Interpublic Group – a massive media and marketing conglomerate with offices in over 100 countries – for an undisclosed sum, thought to be between $10 and $15 million. Following the sale, Translation continued to operate as an independent unit and Stoute went on to start Translation Advertising with Jay-Z in 2008.