Buyout at direct and digital marketing agency Red C
Two directors of long standing Manchester marketing agency Red C have completed a management buyout of the 30 year old business.
Chairman Adrian Rowe, the last of the original founders, has stepped down, and current Managing Director, Steve White and Finance Director, Mark Dowds have bought the company.
Founded in 1994 in the centre of Manchester, the agency has pivoted towards digital in recent years and now specialises in direct response and search marketing with a workforce of 30 people and revenues of over £2 million.
The company will now be owned and led by White and Dowds, supported by experienced members of staff including Strategy Director, Katharine Mitchell, Search Director, Christopher Morey and Head of Copy, Stuart Clark.
The transition underlines a commitment to continuity and progression from within, with the new leadership team having contributed significantly to the agency’s success, with almost 75 years’ experience at Red C between them.
Steve White
White told TheBusinessDesk.com: “we’ve constantly evolved over the years. We started out in print, then the digital revolution encouraged us to embrace email marketing, digital, and now most of our work is SEO and search marketing.”
He also noted that many major brands have taken their design and production studio requirement in-house, whereas they are content to seek agency support for digital and search.
Red C’s client base includes global manufacturer Parker Hannifin, Dulux brand owners AkzoNobel, Thistle Group, and the Rugby Football Union.
White added: “I’m incredibly proud and excited to lead the agency, along with Mark and the Senior Management Team, as we continue to build on the agency’s growth working with a fantastic client roster”.
Dowds added: “The agency is in a very strong position financially, with a great client portfolio, and the next 12 months look very positive.”
The only remaining original founder from 30 years ago, Adrian Rowe said he is proud of the agency’s track record. “We’re one of the longest established agencies in the North West, and the development of our UK and international client base is an outstanding achievement. I know that Steve, Mark and the team will sustain our philosophy of putting clients first, and always exceeding expectations.”
