WRG Creative Communication has acquired live communication agency Canyon, as it continues to grow its business in the UK and across the globe.
The deal means that Canyon will become integrated under the WRG umbrella and its managing director, Jonathan Boyne, will become a director of WRG.
The acquisition was funded by private equity firm LDC as part of a £12m investment in WRG's expansion plans, which includes opening offices in the Far East within the next 12 months.
The deal with Canyon, the first since the injection of capital, boosts WRG’s live communication expertise and strengthens its creative, film and logistics offering.
WRG's head office is in Manchester with satellite offices in London and High Wycombe, and overseas bases in New York, Abu Dhabi and Doha, Qatar. Canyon is also based in Manchester.
WRG managed the G20 London Summit in 2009 and the Papal Visit to the UK and Canyon works alongside retail, hair & beauty, financial and automobile brands including P&G, Clarks International, DFS, ABF, Nationwide Building Society and Jaguar Land Rover.
Barry Day, chief executive officer at WRG, said: “By acquiring such a highly respected agency we’re demonstrating our commitment to becoming the leading partner to global brands in the field of live communication.
"Both companies have an outstanding reputation in the European market and rank among the most innovative agencies. We have a shared commitment to creativity and an enviable record of successful delivery.
“The strength of our combined talents gives us enormous power to further expand both our suite of services and our geographical reach over the next 12 months.”
Jonathan Boyne, managing director of Canyon, added: “Our robust approach to strategic communication, based on deep commercial and market understanding, has made us a trusted partner to blue chip organisations across Europe. By becoming part of WRG we now have a truly global reach and greater strength in depth.
“This is an exciting opportunity both for our combined teams and clients. We’re looking forward to being part of WRG’s future growth story.”
Pictured: Barry Day
