Leeds creative agency Intermarketing acquired by joint holding company

Intermarketing Agency, the Leeds-headquartered integrated creative agency, has been acquired by joint holding company Advantage Smollan.

Advantage Smollan, which is a joint holding firm between Advantage Solutions and Global Smollan Holdings, provides outsourced sales, marketing, and technology solutions for consumer goods manufacturers and retailers in a number of European markets.

As well as a base in Leeds, Intermarketing also has offices in London, Amsterdam, and Sydney.

As a result of the acquisition, Advantage Smollan is able to extend its capabilities into several areas including brand and retail campaigns, strategy, brand communications, data and insights, and content creation.

Laurence Clube, COO of Advantage Smollan, 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.”

Tanya Domier, CEO of Advantage, added: “Our expansion efforts are both geographic and capability-oriented.

“Intermarketing’s focus across consumer, shopper, and experiential marketing is similar to the service mix we have built our reputation around in the U.S. Bringing them on board strengthens our value proposition in Europe as well as our ability to service clients globally.”

David Smollan, CEO of Smollan, also commented: “We are very excited about the addition of Intermarketing to the Advantage Smollan portfolio. They are a great cultural fit for our group and bring great expertise through their diversified service offerings.”

Intermarketing, with over 170 members of staff, was founded in 1988 and holds a client portfolio including brands from the worlds of sports, finance, and fashion.

Steve Sowden and Jamie Allan, joint managing partners, 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.”

The shareholders of Intermarketing were advised by Jonathan Simms and Sarah Harrison of Leeds law firm Clarion, and tax advice was provided by Amanda Waterhouse of BHP Chartered Accountants in Leeds.

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.