Group Press Releases
Acquisition of Award Winning UK Digital Creative Agency - Glue
11 August 2005
Acquisition of Award Winning UK Digital Creative Agency Strengthens Isobar's Position as Leading Global Network
Aegis Group plc ("Aegis" or "Group") - the media communications and market research group - announced today that it has acquired 100% of the equity of glue London Limited (glue) - the leading digital creative agency in the UK. glue will become part of Isobar, Aegis' fast growing digital network employing over 1100 specialist staff.
The purchase price will be composed of a total cash consideration of up to £14.75 million plus net assets, payable over three years and subject to rigorous performance criteria.
Founded in 1999, glue has a roster of blue chip clients including BSkyB, Gillette, McDonalds, MORE TH>N, P&G, T-Mobile and Virgin. The agency specializes in highly creative advertising across the web, e-mail, mobile phones and iTV. The addition of glue's expertise will allow Isobar to extend client access to the very best creative people the industry has on offer and further strengthens its position as a leading global digital network.
glue was voted Campaign magazine's Digital Agency of the Year in 2002; Marketing magazine's Digital Agency of the Year in 2003 and named by the IPA as the Best of the Best in 2005. The agency has also won coveted Gold Cyber Lions at Cannes over the last three years including two Golds in 2004.
The acquisition of glue is consistent with Aegis' strategy of building the leading international digital network. Digital is the fastest growing media and Isobar is developing its service capabilities and increasing its geographical reach to meet the changing needs of its clients. In addition to digital creative, Isobar has extended its service offer into a number of areas including online search, e-business solutions and internet consultancy in the year since its launch. Over the last 12 months the network has also grown from 26 offices in 17 markets to 58 offices in 29 markets.
Robert Lerwill, CEO of Aegis Group plc said:
"Clients are increasingly turning to digital media to promote their brands. As a global digital media agency Isobar provides a complete array on online services but grabbing consumers' attention is as much down to highly creative executions as it is to effective targeting and technical expertise. glue's award-winning creative skills will integrate seamlessly with the great online capability that we are building and I welcome glue's extremely talented team to the Group."
For further information contact:
Richard Walters
Aegis Group plc
+44 (0) 20 7070 7700
Charles Palmer
Financial Dynamics
+44 (0) 20 7831 3113
