DENTSU Aegis Network today announces the acquisition of Edinburgh-based creative agency, Whitespace.
Founded in 1997 with a focus on digital and brand design, Whitespace has developed into one of Scotland’s leading and most awarded creative agencies with a client list that includes Aegon, Sainsbury’s Bank, and the Scottish Government.
With expertise in brand strategy, digital production, content and integrated campaigns spanning mobile, augmented reality and virtual reality, the acquisition will accelerate Dentsu Aegis Network’s creative capability in Scotland and the wider UK market.
The 65-strong team at Whitespace will become part of Dentsu Aegis Network’s northern operations. Dentsu Aegis North employs 640 people across Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh and Newcastle, providing media, digital, creative, data and technology services for clients such as Thomas Cook and Visit Scotland.
Rachel McDonald, managing director, Dentsu Aegis Network North, said: “As consumers continue to demand better brand experiences, disruptive creativity becomes a strategic imperative. As such, I’m excited to welcome Whitespace to Dentsu Aegis Network – their award-winning work, hugely talented team and thriving culture truly stands out. Scotland remains strategically important for us and this substantial investment in the market will enable us to offer our clients unrivalled capability through an Edinburgh team of 135 people.”
John Mathieson, chief operating officer, Dentsu Aegis Network North, added: “Whitespace presents a huge opportunity for us to enhance our proposition and to further accelerate our growth and that of our clients. By integrating the digital brand experience and content capability possessed by Whitespace with our existing media, data and tech offering we will be able to develop even more compelling and effective solutions for our clients.”
Whitespace’s joint managing partners, Iain Valentine and Phillip Lockwood-Holmes, will continue to lead the business, with the current management team and all employees remaining in place in Edinburgh.
Iain Valentine (pictured, right), managing partner of Whitespace, said: “We are incredibly proud of the agency we have built, our talented team and our growth over the years. We have always carved our own path and innovated at pace, joining Dentsu Aegis Network is a natural next step in this journey. We believe that great creative and communication is built on data-driven customer insight, being part of Dentsu Aegis Network will allow us to leverage the most advanced media planning and performance marketing techniques to drive success for our clients.”
Phillip Lockwood-Holmes (pictured, left), managing partner of Whitespace, said: “Over the last 21 years, Whitespace, at every stage and size, has always looked to create the best work. I’m incredibly excited about joining Dentsu Aegis Network, the potential for our team and our clients is fantastic. By combining our creative and technical talent with data-driven customer insight, advanced media planning and performance marketing techniques we’re going to create even more stand out work for our clients.”
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
ENDS
For further information contact:
Mandy Rayment
head of Communications, UK
mandy.rayment@dentsuaegis.com
Notes to editors:
About Dentsu Aegis Network
Part of Dentsu Inc., Dentsu Aegis Network is made up of ten global network brands – Carat, Dentsu, dentsu X, iProspect, Isobar, mcgarrybowen, Merkle, MKTG, Posterscope and Vizeum and supported by its specialist/multi-market brands. Dentsu Aegis Network is Innovating the Way Brands Are Built for its clients through its best-in-class expertise and capabilities in media, digital and creative communications services. Offering a distinctive and innovative range of products and services, Dentsu Aegis Network is headquartered in London and operates in 145 countries worldwide with more than 40,000 dedicated specialists. www.dentsuaegisnetwork.com
About Whitespace
Whitespace was founded in 1997 and has grown to be one of Scotland leading creative digital agencies, employing over 65 people from its Edinburgh HQ at Norloch House on Kings Stables Road. Some current clients include; Aegon, VisitScotland, Wood, The National Trust for Scotland, Whyte and Mackay, Sainsbury’s Bank, The Scottish Government, The Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival.
More information can be found at www.whitespacers.com
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