IASb2b merges with New York agency

MACCLESFIELD marketing firm IAS b2b has merged with New York firm Stein + Partners.

The combined agency, called SteinIAS, will have around 100 staff and revenues of £8.6m. Clients include BP Castrol, KPMG, Merck and Pearson.

Each side holds 50% of the new venture.

A statement issued by the firm said it would “vie for a leading role on the global B2B marketing stage”.

It already has bases in New York, London, Manchester and Paris, but is opening an office in Shanghai to tap into the fast-growing Chinese market.

IASb2b managing director, Rob Morice, has become the managing director of SteainIAS for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

He said: “As IAS and Stein got to know each other, it was apparent just how similar our focus, models, integrated processes and all-round approach is.

“We share the same vision – to be globally recognised as the B2B agency that best delivers brand strategy, multichannel creativity and technology-powered go-to-market approaches. It made great sense to strengthen our individual assets by bringing the best of the best together under the same brand.”