Social impact and behaviour change agency Hopscotch Consulting has been sold to one of the largest independent communications and integrated marketing agencies in the world, WE Communications (WE) as advised by SI Partners.
The new partnership will strengthen WE’s capabilities in advising brands on social and economic issues, responsible governance, and brand reputation. It also extends WE’s offering to engaging youth audiences, as well as developing educational programmes in areas such as employability and skills development, climate change and public health, and working with government groups and the NHS.
“Hopscotch are incredibly excited to be joining WE Communications to continue driving positive change for the next generation.” commented Sam Mercer. “Joining WE will enable Hopscotch to expand the reach of our social impact and brand purpose services globally, working with global education, tech, consumer and health brands. Our shared values and fierce independence make our partnership a natural fit.”
Moving forward, Hopscotch will be known as ‘Hopscotch, a WE Communications Company’. Hopscotch co-founders Sam Mercer and Julie Noble alongside existing Hopscotch managing director Marcus Hernon will continue to lead the company will report into WE’s UK managing director Ruth Allchurch.
“The acquisition has been a long time coming. We’ve had a relationship with Hopscotch since I started at WE in 2018 and have worked together on many clients and new business wins like Lego Education, but it became clear that it was a fantastic fit on so many levels: like us, Hopscotch is female-founded, has been fiercely independent, and our values are very similar."
"The UK is also a very competitive market when it comes to corporate reputation and brand purpose and we’re committed to offering clients the best consultancy, so I’m very excited to be teaming up with one of the UK’s best social impact and behaviour change agencies, with an amazing client roster and great talent.” commented Ruth Allchurch to PRovoke Media.
WE’s chief operating officer and international president Kass Sells said of the deal: “WE and Hopscotch have long shared a people-first mindset and a clear perspective on how communications can move people to positive action, deliver societal value and impact. With this acquisition, we’re able to offer clients a significantly enhanced opportunity to drive influence across the corporate reputation, ESG and CSR landscapes, to connect with younger audiences and to establish effective education programmes, ensuring that we stand out in an increasingly competitive space.”
