Digital marketing agency Stickyeyes has acquired UK based digital content marketing agency Zazzle Media in a deal thought to be the first of its kind in Europe.
The deal, which sees one large independent agency acquire another in a space that is dominated by big networks, will create an independent group with 3 offices, 140 staff and anticipated operating profits for 2015/16 in excess of £3.5 million.
Stickyeyes CEO Craig Chalmers will head up the Group with Simon Penson, MD at Zazzle Media joining the Stickyeyes Executive team. Both agencies will retain their individual brands and trade independently initially but expect to collaborate on larger international projects.
Craig Chalmers, CEO at Stickyeyes said:
“Stickyeyes has always had significant strength in using technology and data to inform our digital strategies for clients and, in combining this depth of data with our collective pedigree in content strategy, production and distribution we’re creating a ‘game-changing’ service offering”.
“We already work with brands across 17 countries, but the deal will ensure we’re even better placed to service international brands working in highly competitive multiple territories. We’ve always prided ourselves on being flexible to client needs and this acquisition is a confident statement of intent for Stickyeyes and an important milestone in the next stage of our development”.
Simon Penson, MD at Zazzle Media said:
"It’s a great cultural fit. By joining Stickyeyes, not only will our existing client base have access to some of the most advanced digital insight, data and marketing capabilities in the industry but it will also help us compete and deliver campaigns on a much greater scale”.
“Zazzle’s long term plan has always focused on being able to offer our cutting edge content strategies to the biggest brands in the world. By combing with Stickyeyes we get to fast track that vision and also plug in years of data experience to push our offering. Working within the enlarged Group also creates even more opportunity for our most talented people. We’re very excited about the future!”
Stickyeyes, based in Leeds and London, was founded in 1996. Their team of 100 work with international brands, including Staples, Hertz and ghd in 17 countries across the world. Zazzle Media was established in 2009 and their 40-strong team services client base including eBay, AO.com and Mecca Bingo from its UK offices in London and Peterborough.
Stickyeyes' legal advisors were Richard Moran and Rachel Dean at Clarion with tax advice provided by Gordon Singer and Sarah Robinson at pwc. Zazzle was advised by Simon Ward at Springboard Corporate Finance and Richard Cox at law firm Browne Jacobson.
