North West creative agencies merge with eyes set on expansion

Two creative businesses have announced their merger to focus on further growth both at home and globally.

Liquid Studios is joining with fellow Cumbrian design and marketing company Colourmedia to create a business which its directors believe will provide an unrivalled range of services.

Both businesses declined to comment on the monetary aspect involved in the merger.

Liquid Studios was set up in 2006 and works with a diverse range of clients on graphic design, website builds, marketing, advertising, content creation, photography and original video and audio production. They’re also specialists in media buying and outdoor media promotion.

Colourmedia, based in Dalston, Carlisle, has built a worldwide portfolio of clients and specialises in web and digital marketing campaigns for a host of well-known names.

The new business will retain the Colourmedia name with the expanded team of 13 content creators, designers and web designers working from the newly-revamped Dalston base.

As part of the merger, former newspaper editor David Helliwell, who has been working on PR and content creation for Liquid Studios, joins as PR director.

Colourmedia director, Chris Marshall, said the venture was an exciting development: “We are a full-service agency bringing together the best creativity, technology and data along with our combined experience.

“We now have specialists in every area from photography to media buying, from Facebook and Google ad campaigns to PR.

“We believe our offer will be the equal of any creative agency operating in this part of the world. We pride ourselves on being the marketing extension of our clients’ teams delivering clear, tangible results.”

Colourmedia is a Google-accredited partner and the companies’ existing clients include the NHS, Carrs Billington, Engie, Haix, Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Burnetts’ Solicitors.

The Liquid Studios brand will continue to operate through the combined team focusing on its established reputation in the thriving food and drink sector.

Peter Crouch, managing director of Liquid Studios and now Colourmedia director, said: “It’s a great development for both businesses and means we’ll be offering even more expertise to our clients.

“We’ll be able to provide an unbeatable service – the equal of anything in the bigger cities.

“Both businesses already work with major brands and we want to spread the message that, whatever your level of marketing requirements, it can be delivered right here from Cumbria.

“We’re very excited about what 2020 will bring and look forward to working with existing and new businesses on all their marketing needs.”