North East PR agency makes “commitment to the region” with latest acquisition

North East PR and communications agency Karol Marketing has announced the acquisition of Blyth based Fusion PR Creative.

The strategic move will drive forward a vision to offer the very highest level of strategic communications, marketing, digital, public affairs, and public relations expertise to its regional, national, and international client base.

The buy-out builds upon significant results achieved by Fusion and Karol for existing clients across sports, renewable energy, construction and regeneration, healthcare, hospitality, and leisure industries, and helps to carve out and realise new business opportunities, enabling some of the region’s leading companies to access strategic communications expertise.

Both companies will continue to operate under their respective brands within the new Group, working on behalf of their regional, national and global B2B and B2C clients.

The company has secured five major new clients in the last twelve months; adding to its portfolio which includes Mental Health Concern, Eldon Square, Agilio Software, as well as leading outdoor brands Keela, Montane, Vango, EDZ, and Ventile. It has seen billings jump by 61.7 per cent.

Group managing director, Stefan Lepkowski, said, “This is a strategic and purposeful move designed to reinforce and strengthen our long-standing commitment to the region, providing the very highest level of strategic communications, public affairs, marketing and PR expertise to the North East’s business community.

“We’re proud to work with and alongside the businesses, charities and public sector organisations that make up this thriving and vibrant part of the world.”

Former Fusion PR Creative managing director John McCabe was recently appointed chief executive at the North East England Chamber of Commerce and will now step down from his role at Fusion. Other members of the Fusion team will remain in key roles within the newly formed Group.

John added: Commenting on the deal, John McCabe said: “I’m very pleased to have concluded the sale of Fusion to Karol Marketing. It’s almost nine years to the day since I launched Fusion and in that time the business has grown way beyond my initial expectations.

“We’ve created good jobs for good, talented people, won awards for our work, and had the pleasure of working with fantastic clients. It’s good to know I’m leaving the business in very strong shape, and in very good hands, with a bright, exciting future ahead.”