Intermarketing Agency has been acquired by Advantage Smollan for an undisclosed sum as part of the outsourced sales and marketing group’s plans to expand into agency services.
Founded in 1988 in Leeds, Intermarketing has over 170 staff, with a client list that includes British Red Cross, Virgin Trains, Bupa Global and the Shop Direct Group. It also has offices in London, Amsterdam and Sydney.
Last year, the agency launched a dedicated data and analytics offering, headed up by former Callcredit senior client development manager Rob Edwards as channel strategy director.
The main shareholders in the business are managing partners Steve Sowden and Jamie Allan (pictured), who secured an MBO in 2011 and own 37.5% of the group.
Advantage Smollan is a joint holding firm between Advantage Solutions and Global Smollan Holdings, and provides outsourced sales, marketing, and technology solutions for consumer goods manufacturers and retailers in a number of European markets.
As a result of the acquisition, Advantage Smollan aims to extend its capabilities into several areas including brand and retail campaigns, strategy, brand communications, data and insights, and content creation.
Advantage Smollan chief operating officer Laurence Clube said: “This move is hugely significant for us as we continue to broaden our range of services. It’s great to have a business of the quality of Intermarketing joining us.”
In a joint statement, Intermaketing’s Sowden and Allan said: “We’re excited for the future of Intermarketing Agency and for all the people we employ.
“The agency has seen rapid growth since 2011 and being part of the Advantage Smollan group will help move the agency to the next level. It was very important for us to find a parent company that had a shared vision, culture, and mindset when it came to business and we believe we have found exactly that.
“As part of the wider group we can continue to grow both our geographical reach and our skill base whilst supporting Advantage Smollan’s own plans for expansion.”
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