Two digital agencies secure 26 Leeds jobs with new merger

Two Yorkshire-based digital businesses have merged to create a new £1.5m turnover digital agency.

Leeds firms Creode and Jump Agency have joined together in a merger which will secure 26 jobs in the city.

Founded in 2010, Jump Agency is a technology-led integrated marketing agency headed by Ben Rees, specialising in the financial services and retail sectors.

Led by Guy Weston, Creode is a digital agency with offices in Leeds and London, providing services such as consultancy, research, web development, SEO and email campaigns.

The newly merged firm, which will trade as Creode, has taken on additional office space at Consort House on South Parade in Leeds city centre to accommodate its total workforce, and has a combined turnover of £1.5m.

Glenn Patterson, former chair of Intermarketing Agency, will take up the role of chair. Ben Rees and Guy Weston will act as joint managing directors of the combined agency.

Commenting on the merger, Creode chair Glenn Patterson said: “These two businesses have an excellent pedigree with Creode having produced high level bespoke digital solutions for some of the biggest online brands in the world, and Jump has produced highly effective integrated marketing campaigns for some of the UK’s largest brands in various sectors, including travel, financial and retail.

“This merger means we will have a very experienced senior board and management team so our clients can be assured of top talent working directly on their account.”

A team of regional advisers supported the deal, including Sarah Harrison of the corporate practice at Leeds-based law firm Clarion and Amanda Waterhouse of BHP Chartered Accountants.

Sarah Harrison added: “The two agencies are a great fit and with such a strong board, we expect Creode to flourish as clients benefit from its combined technical and creative capability in this fast developing sector.”