Deal secured for retail agency with global marketing group
A Stoke-on-Trent-based retail and field marketing firm which works with the likes of Asda and Innocent has been acquired by global sales and marketing giant Acosta Europe.
Dee Set Group will operate under Acosta Europe’s umbrella following the deal.
Acosta Europe will now manage two separate agency brands: Reach, which includes ShopSmart and Dee Set, which works with some of the U.K.’s biggest brands and retailers including Morrisons, Asda, Arla and Innocent.
Dee Set and Reach will remain distinct agency brands under Acosta Europe, enabling the organisation to preserve its teams while benefiting from cross-agency expertise and shared services.
Greg Phillips, the current managing director of Dee Set Group, will continue in this position. Ian Forshew has been appointed SVP and group managing director of Ascota Europe and Andy Buck will lead Reach as managing director.
Forshew said: “We are bringing together two scale players in the retail and field marketing services sector to provide our clients comprehensive, flexible, and innovative solutions that meet the needs of a dynamic UK retail market.
“Our expanded capabilities strategically position us for the future of this industry, offering a one-stop shop for every solution brands and retailers require. We remain dedicated to providing consistent, top-tier service to our customers across our entire organisation, identifying new, innovative opportunities to drive success.”
Phillips said: “We are excited about the new opportunities this acquisition brings to our customers and colleagues across our expanded organisation.”
Forshew will report to Lisa Koth, whose leadership role now includes oversight of Acosta Europe alongside her responsibilities for Acosta Group’s corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and innovation.
