Multi-billion dollar US firm snaps up Leeds agency
LEEDS agency Stickeyes has been snapped up in a major deal with the multi-billion dollar Interpublic Group.
Along with Stickeyes, Peterborough-based Zazzle Media has been snapped up as its sister company, after they forces in 2015 to create a major independent agency.
Now, the undisclosed acquisition by IPG will let them grow further, whilst still retaining the Stickeyes brand and management team.
The New York-based advertising group has 50,000 employees across the world and reported revenues of $7.6bn last year.
Brands under the umbrella of the NYSE-listed group include FCB, Mediabrands and Weber Shandwick.
Craig Chalmers, CEO, Stickyeyes Group, said, “It was obvious when we first met, that IPG Mediabrands’ and our ambitions were aligned.
“We are joining forces with an incredibly forward-thinking agency group and are looking forward to bringing our talents and expertise to an already world-class and global team.”
Managing director of Stickeyes, Phil Kissane, spoke to TheBusinessDesk.com. “This comes at a great time for Stickeyes,” he said. “We have had our strongest growth over the past four months, and won six new clients, including the third biggest retailer in the US.
“Our specialisms transcend borders – location is immaterial and we have always punched above our weight.
“There have been lots of deals within our space including those of Epiphany and Branded3 – we were the last ones standing.
“We were approached by a number of companies, but this decision wasn’t about the money. This was the deal we always wanted to do. Professionally we will be getting to deal with and compete for more global brands on a global basis.
“We’re really excited to make this quantum leap. What we have here at Stickeyes is special and now we get to have a worldwide footprint.”
Craig Lister, managing director Search and Social, IPG Mediabrands, EMEA, said, “Digital leadership is strategically imperative for us. This acquisition is evidence of that and adds further momentum. Today, over two thirds of our UK staff are now full-time digital experts”
He said that the combined knowledge of Zazzle and Stickeyes along with existing group companies would “deliver the scale and expertise to fulfil the toughest client briefs in the most creative and relevant ways imaginable.”
