Tracy De Groose, CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network UK & Ireland
Dentsu Aegis Network has acquired John Brown Media for an undisclosed sum as it looks to strengthen its content proposition for its global clients.
Established in 1987 and with more than 225 staff, John Brown Media is headquartered in London, with offices in South Africa, Hong Kong and Dubai, and provides a range of services including print and digital publishing, content management, website strategy and firm production.
Following the acquisition, the agency will retain its brand identity while its content publishing capabilities are integrated with iProspect, Dentsu Aegis’ global digital performance agency.
John Brown CEO, Andrew Hirsch, will report to Dentsu CEO, Tracy De Groose.
“As one of the world’s largest content agencies, the acquisition of John Brown Media will add another dimension to our content offering across the group,” said De Groose.
“More clients are asking for content-led strategies and we’ll now be able to develop more innovative, content-rich solutions for them, and also accelerate our growth in this space.”
Ben Wood, global president of iProspect, added: “The digital communications market has seen some major shifts as the focus for communications strategy evolves from the world of bought media, to one where earned and owned media often play the lead strategic role.
“Successful search campaigns are increasingly reliant on the ability to drive audiences towards quality, editorialised content. By aligning publishing into our search and performance offering, iProspect creates real differentiation. The John Brown Media acquisition proves we are committed to a future that is driven by content, and brings us more depth in this space.”
