Digital and creative agency’s acquisition boosts tech innovation

A Leeds-based agency is set for growth after acquiring a web and mobile applications development company in a bid to innovate and expand its products and services.

Zeal Media has acquired software developer Appmetrix.

Zeal already works with clients ranging from global consumer brands, charities and public sector organisations, providing everything from branding, marketing, advertising, events and graphic design to video, websites, social media, blogging and digital solutions.

Now it hopes to enhance its current offering with the acquisition of Appmetrix, which specialises in creating innovative digital platforms through web and mobile development, to further expand the range of skills and expertise available to clients.

Jane Rutter, Zeal CEO, said: “We are committed to helping our clients grow and are constantly looking for new ways to provide the best products to support that growth.

“We think investing in this area is a great opportunity and will complement our existing services, whilst at the same time future-proofing the agency to offer the potential for growth at a time when many agencies are struggling to survive.

“With our working cultures already very much aligned too, we simply had to say yes to it.”

Mike Jacques, Zeal managing director, said: “This is a very exciting expansion of our agency, embracing all that technology has to offer to help meet our clients’ growing needs, whilst at the same time putting us at the cutting edge of marketing and software innovation.

“We very much look forward to working together to see what we can achieve.”

Appmetrix is made up of software developers, designers and solution architects, all with experience in working with clients to create innovative new applications.

The company, which is also based in Leeds, was founded in June 2019 by Robert Durkin, a Cambridge University graduate, successful entrepreneur and experienced angel investor.

With over 10 years experience in creating technology for large corporate customers including Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, Nestle, lastminute.com and Microsoft, Durkin sold his first business to WPP at the age of 27.

He also acts in an advisory role for a wide range of technology start-ups and has held a number of board seats within successful early stage companies.

Durkin, who is now Zeal’s new chief technology officer, said: “This is a massive opportunity to leverage technology and innovation to accelerate Zeal’s growth over the next few years.

“We are excited to bring our unique offering to Zeal’s amazing range of existing clients as well as using it to attract new ones.

“Zeal’s achievements to date are impressive, and we hope to be able to extend its capabilities to really propel the agency to the next level.

“I’m delighted to see our talented teams come together and am very excited about discovering what opportunities lay ahead.”

Zeal was advised by a team from Clarion led by Jonathan Simms.