MasterCard’s Analytics Play

MasterCard has announced that it will acquire Applied Predictive Technologies – a cloud-based analytics provider – for $600 million.

The acquisition expands the services MasterCard can offer to its merchants – particularly APT’s Test & Learn platform, which helps businesses tailor investments and enhance their bottom line by using data to calibrate marketing, merchandising, operations and capital initiatives. APT will gain access to MasterCard’s analytics suite, consulting capabilities, marketing services and global footprint.

“In today’s competitive business climate, companies need analytics that are easy to use and drive action,” said Kevin Stanton, president of MasterCard Advisors. “APT’s world-class talent, technology and Test & Learn platform, matched with MasterCard’s analytics, will give our customers the advantage of enhanced and actionable decision making.”

This latest acquisition complements MasterCard’s recent acquisition of 5One, a London-based retail consulting and analytics firm.

APT is already a global firm with offices in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, London, Taipei, Tokyo and Sydney, with a well-developed list of Fortune 100 companies clients.

“MasterCard is uniquely positioned, with its corporate footprint and analytics expertise, to help us expand our business, working with even more clients around the globe and evolving our product capabilities,” said Anthony Bruce, CEO of Applied Predictive Technologies. “We’re thrilled to join the MasterCard family.”

This acquisition is anticipated to close in the second quarter of 2015.