Omnicom Group’s Diversified Agency Services Acquires Stake in Leading UK Agency Portland and Creates New Strategic Alliance.
Omnicom Group’s (NYSE: OMC) Diversified Agency Services (DAS) today announced an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Portland, London’s fastest growing independent communications agency. The deal will give the agency investment and growth potential while preserving its management team and its highly respected brand. Portland’s senior management team will retain a significant stake in the business.
"Portland’s dedication to quality and its ability to attract the best talent is what makes it stand out in the marketplace and I’m delighted they have chosen to join the DAS family. I’m particularly excited about the launch of the new international alliance between g+ europe and Portland. Communications and regulatory challenges are increasingly international in nature and this new strategic alliance will help meet the changing needs of clients".
Dale A. Adams, President and CEO, DAS
Founded by Tim Allan, a former senior adviser to Tony Blair and Director of Communications at BSkyB, Portland has developed a highly successful offer combining unique media and political expertise which has seen it enjoy 11 years of dramatic growth. As well as its London hub, the agency has offices in New York and Nairobi.
"Looking back at where it all started 11 years ago with me and a laptop, it’s fantastic to be announcing a deal of this scale and to be planning the next chapter of Portland’s growth. This is great news for us, our clients and our staff".
Tim Allan, Founder, Portland
Through this acquisition Portland will work closely with g+ europe, the European political and communications firm, to create a new, high-end branded international political communications alliance.In a PR market that’s been hit hard by the recession, our growth and this significant deal buck market trends and that’s a testament to our outstanding team.
"The combination of g+ europe in Brussels, Paris and Berlin and Portland in London and New York will be a force to be reckoned with in the international communications market. g+ europe and Portland have already worked successfully together on many projects and I’m confident this deeper partnership will achieve great things for our current and future clients".
Peter Guilford, co-founder and Executive Chairman, g+ europe
